Emily
by definition
"Industrious, Striving
Personal Integrity
A trusted person by all"
Emily Snyder is only 14 years old and yet she is already so far ahead in life. Emily is an aspiring writer, which was shown by her poem she entered in last month’s newsletter. She writes all the time and she also loves to read. These hobbies have helped her in her school work. Emily just won a four year scholarship "paid in full" to North Broward Prep, based solely on academics. Her determination to do well will help her to achieve her goal of going to Princeton. Emily is a very good-hearted person and her values mean a lot to her. Ever since Emily was old enough to make her own decisions she chose to become a vegetarian. She loves animals so much that she refuses to eat any kind of meat. Emily is also a very self-motivated girl and does a lot on her own. Before karate Emily took piano and violin. She was never forced to practice, she would always do it on her own. This is a great quality to have and has sure helped her in karate. Emily just started a mere two years ago and has already reached green belt. Before coming to the University Karate Center, Emily trained in Aikido. She moved to the Plantation area and could not find another school with that style. She then found the University Karate Center, and has trained here ever since. She is very happy in the school and is on the right track to becoming a Black Belt. She certainly has the perseverance to achieve it. Emily is a wonderful student with such a bright future ahead of her, not just in karate, but in all aspects of her life. We know she will stick with karate and reach all the other goals she has set for herself.
By Arielle Meyer
Sensei Mason’s thirteenth annual Gold Coast Classic Open Martial Arts Tournament was held on Saturday April 24th at the gymnasium of the Broward Community College in Davie.
The event was very well attended by many local schools in the South Florida area. Several of our own students competed demonstrating their skills and winning attitude for the spectators who packed the bleachers.
Many of the Black Belt students were able to attend and help with judging the events, while other students and parents helped out with scorekeeping, timekeeping, and event coordination.
Staff members were also on hand to help Sensei Mason keep everything running smoothly. Students who attend BCC took care of the concession stand to raise money for the Phi Theta Kappa to which they belong.
The tournament started on time at 10:00 am, Black Belt Adult divisions began at 2:00 p.m. and the Grand Championships concluded at 4:30 p.m. thanks to the contributions of all those in attendance. The event ran very smoothly and all of us at University Karate Center should be very proud of a job well done.
Competitors for this year’s tournament came from far and wide and included Sensei Azzizi from New York, attending the Gold Coast for the first time. He mentioned that he enjoyed the tournament and intends to bring a team with him next year.
The standard of competition at the Black Belt level was very high in both the Youth and Adult divisions with standout performances from numerous national champions.
Contributions by the following people made the tournament a success and we thank them for their help!Vicki Wheeler, Jackie Mays, Arielle Meyer, Kendra Smith, Sensei Charles Lewis, Sensei Rodrigo Navarrete, Sensei Carmine Downey, Sensei Bernard Broomfield, Sensei Dean Katon, Sensei Susan Anderson, Sensei Laura Ferine, Sensei Brenda Mayer, Sensei Chris Young, Sensei Stan Meyer, Sifu Ed Nesbitt, Sabumnim Stephanie Mahler, David Kopp, Esther Meyer, June Leaman, Linda Payne, Martha Slaughter, Austin Smith, Mel Kessler, Kevin Smith, Kathy Hornstra, Deborah Foeman, Brandon Foeman, Elena Papaset, Marcia FungSang, Ricardo Arroyo, Christina Arroyo, Clifford Kauffman, Jiwa Polsley, Katey Bennett, Cyndie Bennett, Pearlette Jones, Candy Shields, Sue Webb, Ricky Birenbaum, Mario Sukiennik, Fareida Rajkumar, Phi Theta Kappa members, Mary Tahmessebi, & Daniel Stahl
Lead, Don’t DictateOne of the principle qualities for which a Martial Artist should strive is the quality of leadership. However, leadership ability is not a talent that can formulate in a vacuum; it comes from the internalization and practice of other qualities. Sun Tze, the ancient philosopher and tactician said, "leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness , courage and sternness." To be a leader does not mean to be obnoxious or impolite but to exude the qualities which Sun Tze recognized so long ago. It is not enough to be proficient in one quality of leadership and not in others. The ability to lead - that is getting others to follow you - comes from a careful balance of all these qualities. There are plenty of people who are very intelligent, and an equal number who are courageous, but only a very few who can temper their courage and intelligence with trustworthiness and compassion. These are people who don’t just dictate, but lead.
As stated before, being a leader means that others have a desire to follow in the things that you do. In the words of Confucius "there is a good leader when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are far are attracted." As you develop your leadership skills, you may find that you are not the leader in all aspects of your life. Being a leader does not mean that you always have to lead, but that you have the ability to lead when necessary. In fact, one of the principle aspects of leadership and intelligence is a quality that lets you know when it is time to lead, and when it is time to follow.
Practice being a leader everyday. Learn and practice your forms diligently, keep your word to your friends, family and fellow students. Show compassion or new students or others that might be having a harder time learning than you do. Give it your best shot, be the first to raise your hand when your teacher asks for volunteers. Practice these things daily and you will soon find that others will try to emulate you, to be like you. This is the path to leadership and Black Belt excellence.