Well, season one is in the books. We had a wonderful first session with Orono Youth Martial Arts. Our inaugural Shotokan karate program for elementary aged students was a huge success. We began the program in late September with seventeen students and graduated fifteen to ninth-kyu yellow belts or yellow-stripes in December. That's a remarkable record and it really speaks to the dedication of the students and their parents. I also want to thank my assistant, Byron DeGrave, who helped with class management, kid wrangling and zubon (gi pants) tying for the entire session. I am happy to announce that Byron was graded to seventh-kyu blue belt at the end of the session.
We have some exciting new opportunities on the horizon. First, Youth Martial Arts has been renewed for a second (and third) session. Our second session runs from January 2016 through March and a third session is scheduled for the remainder of the spring. Youth programs will continue to meet at the Keith Anderson Community House. To our youth program we have added a section for older students in grades 6-8 and a session for teens and adults. These programs will run on Monday evenings at the Asa Adams School.
Registration may be accessed through the Orono Parks and Recreation website (linked here). If you cannot access the site or are having trouble paying for the sessions, please let me know. No one will be turned away due to financial hardship.
Finally, we will be offering single session Women's Self-Defense seminars through the Orono Adult Education program later this spring. Women and girls ages 13 and over are invited to register for these low-cost, informative seminars. Check the Orono/Hamden Adult Education program or back here for more details.
Thanks for a great first session, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a joyous holiday season to all.
We have some exciting new opportunities on the horizon. First, Youth Martial Arts has been renewed for a second (and third) session. Our second session runs from January 2016 through March and a third session is scheduled for the remainder of the spring. Youth programs will continue to meet at the Keith Anderson Community House. To our youth program we have added a section for older students in grades 6-8 and a session for teens and adults. These programs will run on Monday evenings at the Asa Adams School.
Registration may be accessed through the Orono Parks and Recreation website (linked here). If you cannot access the site or are having trouble paying for the sessions, please let me know. No one will be turned away due to financial hardship.
Finally, we will be offering single session Women's Self-Defense seminars through the Orono Adult Education program later this spring. Women and girls ages 13 and over are invited to register for these low-cost, informative seminars. Check the Orono/Hamden Adult Education program or back here for more details.
Thanks for a great first session, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a joyous holiday season to all.