Senior Grand Master Sereff's Last Course:  (By Mr. Bushor, K.)

On April 16^th, SGM C.E. Sereff hosted his final training course at the USTF Headquarters in Broomfield CO.  Senior Master Todd led a large group of students who attended this important event.  After some formal photos, SGM Sereff led a group of about 150 of his most loyal students from throughout the country in over 3 hours of training.    This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students to train with this legend and founder of the United States Taekwon-Do Federation.  I personally feel privileged to have had to opportunity to train with SGM Sereff, the Grand Masters, Senior Masters, Masters, Black Belts and Color Belts in attendance.  As promised, it was a memorable event in our organization.  Please go to our class Facebook page or to the HQ USTF website (and on Facebook) for many more photos.

May 21^st Axe TKD tournament:

Our school tournament will be on Saturday, May 21^st.  The event will be at the Youth Center in the large gym.  All students should plan to compete and support the school.  There will be divisions for all ranks and ages in patterns and sparring.  Those students who are older than sixteen will participate in the breaking competition as well.  This is a USTF sanctioned tournament and gives you an opportunity to test your skills that you have been practicing in class.  Competitors from Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado are expected to attend!  All competitors will adhere to the safety rules and guidelines as written in the USTF handbook.  Participation in tournaments is an essential part of your Taekwon-Do training.  It helps you build confidence and humility.  Only one person in any particular event division will win, and no one wins or loses every time.  If you try your hardest and do your best, then you should be happy with your results.  Train hard, practice at home, and you will do great.

WANTED:  The tournament begins with team pattern competition!  We will need color belt and black belt teams.  Ms. Bowing, Mr. Bushor Jr., and Ms. Grant will be coordinating the teams.  Please let them know ASAP that you would like to be a part of a team! 

Advanced registration is expected of Axe students.  Tournament information will be handed out in class.  Senior Master Todd would like all students in attendance.  Please mark your calendar and plan on being at this event!  (http://axetkd.com/PDF/2016AxeTournament.pdf)

What's New at the Youth Center? (By Mr. Bushor, K.)

Shot Records:

The Offutt AFB Youth Center has implemented a new requirement that ALL school age children (high school and below) participating in any program at the Youth Center (including Taekwon-Do), must provide the Youth Center with a copy of their shot records.  The Youth Center needs them As Soon As Possible.

Signing In and Out:

Everyone who enters and exits the Youth Center, children or adult, student or instructor, parent or visitor, MUST sing in and out.  This is a new requirement imposed by the Department of the Air Force, and is being implemented Air Force wide.  There is a sign in sheet at the front desk for adults and a sign in sheet on the small desk in front of the main doors for kids.  Senior Master Todd is signing in and out so there shouldn't be a problem with everyone remembering to do the same...

Sparring Gear:

With the tournament right around the corner, now is the time to order new or replacement Sparring Gear.  You will need sparring gear to spar in class or at any of the tournaments we will be attending. Everyone is required to wear head gear, hand gear, foot gear, and a mouth piece; additionally all male competitors must wear a protective cup.  Shin pads and arm pads are allowed and are encouraged but are not mandatory.  If you would like to order a set of sparring gear (head gear, gloves, and boots) for your very own, please let Mr. Bushor know as soon as possible.  The cost is $69 for the entire set of sparring gear.  There is an assortment of colors and sizes. 

We will be placing the order on Friday, May 13th, so we will need your order not later than Thursday evening, May 12th.  You do not need to pay for the gear until it arrives. 

If you would like to order anything else from the Century website, please let Mr. Bushor know and we will order it at the same time.

You can purchase a mouth guard and protective cup at any major sporting goods store or at Wal-Mart.

Demonstration – May 25: (By Sr. Master Todd)

We are scheduled to perform a demonstration at the Bellevue Public Library, 1003 Lincoln, Road, Bellevue, Nebraska on Wednesday, 5/25 starting at 4pm and lasting for one hour.  It will be held outside.  You will be wearing your Taekwon-Do uniform, belt and you can wear some type of shoes.  I will have a sign up listing in class.  I want as many black belts that can attend there, all color belts are invited also.  If you have never participated in a demonstration they can be fun as they allow us to show the public what the real art of Taekwon-Do should look like and not some other watered down version of the art as taught by other schools.  As you know I can draw my straight lineage to the founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi.  His direct student is Sr. Grand Master Sereff who I have been with since I started Taekwon-Do.   I was fortunate enough to train with the founder of Taekwon-Do at three separate instructor courses and several days during a USTF camp.  Our lineage to the founder of true Taekwon-Do is unquestionable.  Remember that when someone tells you “I took or my child takes Taekwon-Do”.  There are many imitations of Taekwon-Do, but only the USTF teaches the art as intended and passed down by the founder of Taekwon-Do.

Testing – June 11^th: (By Sr. Master Todd)

We are going to try having kkba large testing on Saturday, June 11^th at the Youth Center.  The Youth Center opens at noon so we will start the testing as soon as we are setup, probably 1215-1220.  Please look at your schedules to ensure you are able to participate that day.  My plan is to test ALL students that are ready and my personal challenge to all of you is that you are ALL ready.  I anticipate the testing to last about 3 hours.  We will also schedule a testing dinner to take place directly after the testing to celebrate your accomplishments.  The next testing after this will be in late August.

What is your responsibility? (By Kevin Bushor, VI Dan)

At the end or every 5:30 class I remind everyone of two things, remember to sign the attendance book and to practice what you have been taught during that class.  We don't have the luxury of offering classes 6 or 7 days a week, and at most you can only hope to train with your instructors 6 hours a week, so it is essential that you practice what you have been taught at home. As instructors we want to teach something new every class, but we end up spending more time re-teaching old techniques than we do teaching new techniques.  Okay, I'll admit that as I get older I need more reminders, and some mistakes are expected from the young and old alike.  As you progress from belt to belt there are many new things to learn, but the majority of what you need to be able to do and remember is not new.  Making a fist is the same at I Dan as it was at White Belt; preparing for a middle side block is the same in Toi-Gye or Joong-Gun as it was in Saju-Makgi.  Your instructors spend way too much time fixing the stuff you have already been taught, and not near enough time on new techniques.  Unfortunately, the instructors can only go as fast as the slowest student in their group.  Your responsibility, as a good student, is to not slow down the instructor any more than absolutely necessary.  By all means, ask question, make sure you completely understand what is being taught, but practice what you have been taught, the way it has been taught so we can all continue forward in our education in Taekwon-Do.  General Choi, the Father of Taekwon-Do, outlined 10 things that a "good student" is responsible for in the "Student-Instructor Relationship":

The 10 parts of the student’s responsibility to the Student-Instructor Relationship:

1) Never tire of learning.  A good student can learn anytime, anywhere.  This is the secret of knowledge. 

2) A good student must be willing to sacrifice for his art and his instructor.  Many students feel that their training is a commodity that is bought with monthly dues and they are unwilling to take part in demonstrations, teaching, and working around the do-jang.  An instructor can afford to lose this type of student. 

3) Always set a good example for lower ranking students.  It is only natural that they will attempt to emulate their seniors. 

4) Always be loyal and never criticize the instructor, the art of Taekwon-Do, or the teaching methods. 

5) If an instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilize it. 

6) Remember that a student’s conduct outside the do-jang reflects on the art and his instructor. 

7) If a student adopts a technique from another gym and the instructor disapproves of it, the student must discard it immediately or train at the other gym. 

8) Never be disrespectful to the instructor.  Though a student is allowed to disagree, the student must follow instructions first and discuss the matter later. 

9) A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions. 

10) Never betray a trust.

Pay attention in class (yes I know it can be hard at times); do what the instructor is asking, do it how they are showing you, and do it when they are showing you.  You may think you already know what they are telling you, but they may not have explained every aspect of the technique the first time.  Yes, they may have forgotten something, or more likely they just didn't have time to explain everything the last time they taught you.  You may be shown something different from one instructor to the other, but remember part 8 above, don't be disrespectful to your instructor by saying "that's not what Mr. or Ms. So and So told me" in front of the group.  Practice what your instructor is showing you, if you disagree with the information, ask your questions in a respectful manner in front of the group or after the class is over.  If you have a question about something one of our instructors has taught you, talk to Miss Bowing or me; however, Senior Master Todd, our head instructor, has the final say as to technique in our class. Remember, one of the things that Senior Master Todd and I look at when deciding who is ready to test is how you behave in class.  Do you pay attention, do what the instructor asks, and do it how you were just shown?  Remember your responsibilities as a student, and do your part to make class the best it can be.