Holiday Schedule:  As we complete 2009 it has been a year of excellent training, tournaments, and testings.  We need to prepare for the end of the year and the Holidays.  November 26th is Thanksgiving Day and we will not have class that evening.  Stay home and enjoy a fine meal and some football.  Looking forward into December, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve both fall on a Thursday this year.  Therefore we will have a break in class starting December 23rd and ending on January 4th.  We will have our annual Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 22nd instead of a regular class, and we will start class again on Tuesday, January 5th.

Holiday Party:  As mentioned above, we are planning our annual Holiday Party for Tuesday, December 22nd in the Small Gym at the Youth Center.  The party will start at 5:30pm and will last till about 8:30pm.  You and your families are all invited to attend.  We would like everyone to bring food and drinks to share, and would like the following ranks to bring:  White Belts, Yellow Stripes, Yellow Belts, and Green Stripe – drinks (sodas, tea, lemonade, etc); Green Belts, Blue Stripes, Blue Belts, Red Stripes, Red Belts, and Black Stripes – Desserts; I Dans and II Dans – side dishes; III Dan and IV Dan – Desserts.  Master Todd and Mr. Bushor will provide the main course.

We are also planning an optional “White Elephant” Gift Exchange that everyone is invited to participate in.    Bring a wrapped gift (worth no more than $10) to participate.  Everyone who brings a gift will draw a number out of a hat which will determine in which order the gifts will be selected.  If you would prefer to select a gift someone has already opened you can to that, or select an unopened gift.  Opened gifts can only be passed on to a new owner 3 times before they are no longer available.

New Master Designation:  Due to the large number of Master Instructors (7th and 8th Dans) in the USTF, Grand Master Sereff has established a new title for 8th Dans.  Their new title is “Senior” Master Instructor.  If you address an 8th Dan they are now Senior Master Sereff (or whatever their appropriate last name is).  We don’t know what the appropriate Korean term is of the new rank, but we will pass that on as soon as we know.

Weather:  This time of year in Nebraska the weather can shut down everything on a moment’s notice.  If the weather causes the base and Youth Center to close, then there will not be a class.  If the base closes there will be announcements on the local radio and TV channels.  If the base closes on short notice, we will attempt to notify everyone by phone and email.  So, unless we let you know in advance, if the base and Youth Center are open on a normal class day we will have a class.  If the weather is bad and the base and Youth Center are not closed, use your best judgment when driving to class.  Safety should be the most important decision you make, if driving is not safe; then don’t come to class.  However, if the class is not canceled and you are not coming to class, then let Master Todd or Mr. Bushor know that you will not be there.

Black Belt Class:  The next scheduled Black Belt Class is Saturday, December 5th starting at noon.  All Black Belts and Black Stripes are required to attend and must talk to Master Todd if you will not be there.
                                                     
Schedule 2009

Dec 22nd – Axe TKD Class Holiday party
Dec 23rd – Jan 4th – Axe TKD Holiday break

2010
Jan 5th – Classes resume
Jan 7th – Black Belt Pre-Test (starts at the 6:30 pm class)
Jan 15th – Promotion Testing
Feb 6th and 7th – USTF Class C Instructor Course – Broomfield, CO (Two full days 8-7)
Feb 20th thru 21st – USTF Class F Instructor Course – Kirksville, MO (Two full days 8-7)
Apr 3rd – Black Belt Pre-Test
Apr 10th – USTF Referee Course – Kirksville, MO
Apr 16th – Promotion Testing
Apr 17th and 18th – USTF Class B Instructor Course – Broomfield, CO (Two full days 8-7)
May 1st – 3rd Annual Axe TKD Tournament
Jun – USTF Class C Instructor Course – Bellevue, NE (Two full days 8-7) (dates TBD)
Jun 13th thru 18th – USTF World Camp – Snow Mountain Ranch, CO (see Mr. Bushor for info)
Jul – Black Belt Pre-Test (date TBD)
Jul – Promotion Testing (date TBD)
Jul 30th – Aug 1st – Region 6 Summer Camp, Mexico, MO
Sep 11th – Battle of the Belts – Missouri
Oct – Black Belt Pre-Test (date TBD)
Oct  – Testing (date TBD)
Oct 16th – Basic HSS – Kirksville, MO
Oct – GM Sereff Tournament – Denver, CO (dates TBD)

Concepts for Good Students: (by: Mrs. Debbie Ragone, I Dan)
     General Choi was very clear on what he believed made a good student, and it was the students who met his expectations that earned his respect.  Many times students rely solely upon the instructor to make them a better martial artist.  However, there is an equal responsibility and dedication on the part of the student.  While I agree that the quality and wisdom of the instructor is important, I also know that I am personally responsible for what and how quickly I learn.  The following are the concepts of a good student as defined by General Choi.

Learning - Never tire of learning.  A good student can learn anywhere any time.  This is the secret of knowledge. A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.

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

Example - Always set a good example for lower-ranking students.  It is only natural they will attempt to emulate senior students.

Loyalty - Always be loyal and never criticize the instructor, Taekwon-do, or the teaching methods.  If you disagree with your instructor on something, the private setting is the appropriate place to discuss the disagreement. Never betray the instructor.

Techniques - If an instructor teaches a technique practice it and attempt to utilize it.

Conduct - Remember that a student's conduct outside the dojang reflects on the art and the instructor.

Cross Training - If a student adopts a technique from another dojang and the instructor disapproves of it the student must discard it immediately or train at the gym where the technique was learned.

Respect - Never be disrespectable to the instructor.  Though a student is allowed to disagree with the instructor, the student must first follow the instruction and then discuss the matter later

     After having read through those, how do you answer?  Are you a good student?  Does your behavior in class show Master Todd and the assistant instructors respect?  Are you ALWAYS setting a good example for the lower ranking students?  Are you sacrificing to learn?  Are you training as hard as you could?  Do you tire of learning? 
     One last question, how much time do YOU spend improving your skills in Taekwon Do?  While Master Todd is an excellent instructor and is dedicated to his students, each of us must equal that dedication.  So, the next time you are waiting in line for your turn to kick, watch and listen.  That is valuable time LEARNING!  Listen to what the other person did wrong or right and try to do that when it is your turn.  Continue to do your pattern, for the hundredth time, but fix something!  General Choi wants us to master each skill and pattern.  None of us can say our Choon-Ji is perfect.  While you are waiting for an instructor, test yourself on the measurements of all the stances you know or practice your step sparring in the white book.  When you are at home watching TV and eating Bon Bons, during a commercial, do ten side piercing kicks correctly or stretch those legs!  Grab a blue book and read!  Learn the proper names of all the hand techniques in each move of your pattern.  There is always something you can do to improve! 
     Just remember that all cannot be mastered in a one hour class, two times a week.  There must be practice and studying on your part.  Your instructor can only do so much for you.  It is up to you as well.  General Choi said that an instructor could afford to lose a student who did not sacrifice for his art.  Each time you attend class chose to be a GOOD STUDENT......Not one that we could afford to lose.  Enjoy class.  Have fun.  Be respectful.  But be dedicated, set a good example and seek those moments to learn.