Promotion Testing-

On Saturday, November 23 we had a great testing.  Congratulations to all that tested and were promoted.  That was one of the largest testings and it went perfectly.  We will review individually with all students their test results.  We held a potluck dinner that was fairly well attended.  Remember all Axe TKD students and their families are invited to the dinners after testing.  It is a tradition that we would like to continue in 2014. 

USTF World Camp 2014-(by Master Todd)

I sent this out several times and thus far we have 5-7 students attending.  There is still time to join us.  It would be great if we could get at least 10 to attend!  Sr. Grand Master Sereff will be hosting the World Camp, Sunday thru Friday, June 22-27th, 2014.  Students will travel to Snow Mountain Ranch in the Rocky Mountains for one week. This will be a full week immersed in Taekwon-Do education, etiquette, training, and building relationships with others in TKD around the world!  Past camp students have went hiking, stood in waterfalls, enjoyed the peaceful scenery, and been trained and challenged in a variety of fun and unique ways of teaching.  All students, 13 years and older, are invited to attend.  Students under 13 may be permitted to go, but only with the approval of Master Todd as required by the USTF.  The total cost of the camp is $550 per student which covers housing, daily meals, a camp T-shirt, and all training by the highest ranked instructors in the USTF.  A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due to Master Todd by December 5, 2013.  The remaining portion is due by April 30^th, 2014.  Payments can be made by check or credit card.  Make checks out to USTF.  Those paying by credit card see Master Todd for further instruction.  World Camp has been a Semi-Annual event since 1968 and everyone that has gone to the World Camp has had an amazing experience!  I hope you make it part of your summer plans!  If you have any questions about this camp or process please contact me.  You can come into the school or email me at ustfneb@cox.net.

Holiday Party

Our annual holiday party is on Thursday, December 19^th from 6-830pm.  All students will attend in regular clothes, no Taekwon-Do uniforms!  This is a casual event to share and grow as a TKD family.  This party is for all students and their families.  A special thank you to Mrs. Duralia, Mrs. Chamberlin and Mrs. Turnipseed for volunteering to organize the event.  As with all Axe TKD events they will be coordinating with Master Todd and Mr. Bushor.

Courses - by Master Todd

Being a black belt does not make you a qualified referee or instructor.  T he USTF has qualifications courses divided into three levels (A, B and C).  Each of these courses is taught by selected experts in Taekwon-Do.  All require many hours of study and passing the written tests with an 80 percent or better.  All of the black belts in the USTF are or will be fully qualified instructors and referees.  No black belts are eligible for promotion until they fulfill their qualification requirements.  Typically, the courses are held throughout the U.S. and we have to travel often, incurring additional costs.  However, we (Axe TKD) are sponsoring the USTF referee course in 2014.  So, this is the year to attend for initial qualification, upgrade or attend as a refresher.  I can’t stress how important it is for qualified black belts to attend every course so they can to remain fully qualified. 

You can’t just attend a course one time and consider yourself covered.  I have attended the USTF Class C Instructors course which covers the requirements from white belt through 1st degree black belt at least 9 times in my career.  Of course, I could have the attitude I don’t need it, but I find something new every time I attend.  These courses vary in cost also, but I find it’s money well spent every time.

USTF Referee Course - By Master Todd

I will be teaching the USTF Referee Course at Axe TKD on March 8th, 2014.  The cost is $75 for initial certification or upgrade and $35 for refresher training.  We anticipate the course running from 12:15pm to 6:30pm.  The course will end with practical scenarios and a written test.  The course covers information for the Class C, B or A, depending on what level you are trying to attain.  Written tests are only administered for initial and upgrade certification. 

All students require the initial course and must become Class C certified prior to testing for black belt.  Whenever we host a course it is in your best interest to attend as it will save you financially so you don't have to travel for the course.  Typically you should be at least a blue belt or above to attend and certify.  Those eligible and that should strongly consider attending for Class C this year are: Angelique Jocson, Samantha Jocson, Gabirelle Jocson, Daniel Cook, Robert Cardoza, William Duralia, Pablo Chavez, Sean Ede, Charmaine Jocson, Staci Chamberlin, Lauren Seaman, Joseph Seaman, Wendy Seaman and Sheila Duralia.  All current Class C Referees should consider attending for upgrade to Class B and finally Class B Referees should consider upgrading to Class A.  These names listed for Class C could possibly be eligible for testing for 1st degree in 2014.  Without the Class C certification students are not eligible for promotion consideration.

Students must be Class C, prior to testing for 1st dan

Adult Students must be Class B, prior to testing for 2nd dan (this is waived if the student is not 17 years old)

Students must be Class A, prior to testing for 4th dan

USTF Instructor Course Class C - By Master Todd

Region 6 in Missouri is considering hosting Grand Master Winegar in the fall of 2014 for a USTF Class C Instructors course.  Other than Axe TKD hosting the event students should consider attending in Missouri as it is the closest location for us.  All black belts must attend and certify to the Class C level prior to promotion to 2nd degree black belt.  I typically try to get students to do this prior to 1st degree or shortly after.  For one reason this course certifies you to assistant instruct.  Without attending this course and certifying you are not allowed to assistant instruct at Axe TKD and you are not allowed to wear the yellow/white shoulder patches (flashes) that identify you as an assistant instructor.  Students that are red belt black stripe and above are allowed to certify at this course.  By the fall of 2014 the students listed above for the referee course should be eligible to attend and certify at this course.  Also ALL black belts that were previously certified are welcome to attend for a refresher course.  The course is only taught by Grand Master Winegar, the USTF Director of Technique.  The course typically runs from 8am-6pm on a Saturday and Sunday.  The cost is $200 for certification and $75 for refresher.  This course covers every aspect of Taekwon-Do from white belt through black belt.  The course is designed to make you a better black belt.  Written tests are only administered for initial certification

Students must be Class C, prior to testing for 2nd dan

Students must be Class B, prior to testing for 4th dan

Students must be Class A, prior to testing for 7th dan

2014 - by Master Todd

We have many events listed on our webpage for 2014.  We invite all students to attend as many events as you can.  We do understand the cost and time for travelling to these events.  However we feel as part of your education in the martial arts that travel is beneficial.  In short for 2014 we have the following opportunities available with my comments by each:

March 8, USTF Class C Referee Course - Axe TKD, my comment are above concerning referee and instructor courses.

April 12, USTF Breaking Seminar - USTF HQ.  I am teaching this seminar requested by the USTF.  You (Axe TKD) students have looked great during tournaments and testing.  They are requesting that I share my training pointers with other students.  However, all Axe TKD students are invited to attend this course.

May 3, Axe TKD tournament.  Our annual tournament, we would like full participation from our Axe TKD students for this event.  Remember you are required to attend at least one tournament per year. 

June 22-27 USTF Summer Camp in Colorado.  Information on this is above.

Sept, Casper Wyoming tournament.  We have attended this for the last few years, typically there are around 75-100 competitors.  Last year due to the flooding in Colorado this was a smaller tournament but numbers should return to usual in 2014.

Sept, Battle of the Belts in Kirksville, Missouri.  We have attending this tournament for many years and it is a good challenge for those wanting more competition or referee experience.

Fall 2014, USTF Class C Instructor Course in Kirksville, Missouri.  No firm date on this event yet.

October 19, Sr. Grand Master Sereff Fall tournament in Denver, Colorado.  We have been attending this for many years and it is typically the largest tournament in the U.S.

These events are currently what we are planning for in 2014.  I welcome any and all students and their parents to join us on our travels.  If you have any questions please contact me at ustfneb@cox.net or Mr. Bushor at kbushor@cox.net.