Student of the Month:  The students of the month for July are Mr. Shane Frank and Ms. Ashleigh Ragone.  We believe they are excellent examples of the finest qualities in TKD, and display the tenets of Taekwon-Do (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit). Taekwon!  Please visit the webpage to review their information. 

Testing:  Congratulations on all students testing.  You will notice a few promotions in the class.  Remember if you didn’t complete all the requirements or failed at some you will be required to finish prior to promotion.  We are trying with the black belt promotions to promote any students during the testing IF they complete all the requirements.  This time we actually had two (Mr. Carter & Mr. Navratil)!  We will continue this new tradition in the future, so prepare wisely.  We do want to remind all students and parents that cheering for your student is okay to an extent.  Typically during testing clapping after their performance is about the limit.  Testing should be formal and quite to allow for the student to concentrate on their tasks.  Yelling encouragement will only further distract the student.  The only people that should be “coaching” are the test board.  The test board includes whoever we assign to run the breaking portion.  However during testing “coaching” is very limited and usually only allowed when we see a student will injure themselves.  “Coaching” is totally appropriate during tournaments so yell away as long as you keep it respectful. 

Teaching:  Remember all black belts that have attended the USTF instructors course are allowed to assist teaching under the direction of Master Todd or Mr. Bushor.  If a qualified assistant instructor wants to teach outside class they must be granted permission by us.  This requirement is to ensure we maintain quality instruction at all times.  Remember it’s not appropriate to be teaching your friends outside of class.  If you have questions please ask.

Uniforms:  Mr. Bushor forwarded an email from the USTF recently stating what uniforms are allowed.  In Axe Taekwon-Do we will amend this to include that ALL black belts will have dan trim on their uniforms within 30 days of being promoted to black belt.  The dan trim can either be sewn on by yourself or you can purchase a new uniform with it sewn on (see Mr. Bushor if you wish to order a new uniform).  We are certain black belts will want to wear their new uniform with pride!

TKD Camp:  The "Week-End Camp with Region 6 – 2009" is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; July 31st, August 2nd and 3rd.  It will be at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico Missouri.  The cost is $95.00 per student, with a Family Rate of $80.00 each for 2 or more students from the same family.  Parents, etc. who wish to attend (not participating in the TKD classes) will only be charged $70.00 per person.  The Fees includes training, meals, pool, and a place to sleep.
We have sent in registration forms for 16 students but there is still time to change your mind and join us!  Please see Master Todd or Mr. Bushor if you want to attend!  Details and directions are available at www.axetkd.com.  Campers will depart from the Youth Center parking lot on Friday, July 31st at noon, and we will return to the Youth Center Sunday evening, August 2nd.  Master Todd and Mr. Bushor will make sure we have rides for everyone who wants to attend the camp.

Tournaments:  The next two scheduled tournaments are:  September 19th for the Battle of the Belts in Missouri and October 18th in Broomfield, Colorado for the Grand Master Sereff Fall Championship.  We typically invite all students to attend these tournaments.  We will have more information soon on both these events.  They are both USTF sanctioned tournaments.  Remember that all students must compete in a USTF sanctioned tournament prior to black belt.  After promotion to black belt you should attend at least one sanctioned tournament per year.  Competition is not your thing?  Then attend and participate as a referee, there is something for everyone.

October Testing:  We should have several students testing: Ms. Bowing for 4th degree, Mr. Finan for 3rd degree and a few for 1st degree.  This should be a great test.   We will provide the actual test date soon!  Good luck with your preparation.

USTF Courses:  Remember there are no exceptions for the requirements to attend the following classes prior to being considered for promotion:

            1st degree black belt:  Students must become USTF certified class “C” referees.  This can be done any time prior to testing for black belt.  Axe TKD will host this course every other year.  Typically Missouri or Colorado will also host these courses on a more frequent basis.

            2nd degree black belt:  Students are required to become USTF certified class "C" instructors.  This course is held every other year typically in Missouri.  Colorado will host the course at least once per year.  Axe TKD can’t produce enough first time attendees to host this course at this time.  Adult students are required to become USTF certified class “B” referees; there is no requirement for juniors and peewees to become class B referees.

            3rd degree black belt:  no unique requirements, since you are typically an adult and have met the instructor and referee requirements at 2nd dan. 

            4th degree black belt:  Students are required to become USTF certified class "B" instructors.
Students are required to become USTF certified class "A" referees.  Same notes as above pertaining to the USTF courses.

            The last course is the USTF class A instructors course which must be completed prior to 7th degree black belt.  The push now is for all students to complete these courses prior to promotion.  Please see Master Todd or Mr. Bushor if you have any questions.
 
Future USTF course dates:

USTF Referee Course   Broomfield Colorado   Aug 15th    One day

Class A USTF Instructors Course   Broomfield Colorado   Oct 17, 2009        
           
Class C USTF Instructors Course   Broomfield Colorado   Feb 6 & 7th, 2010  Two full days 8-7

Class B USTF Instructors Course Broomfield Colorado Apr 17th & 18th                 Two full days 8-7                                                                                                             
Schedule 2009
July 31st, Aug 1st and 2nd – TKD Camp, Mexico Missouri
Aug 15th – USTF Referee Course – Broomfield, CO
Sep 19th – Battle of the Belts – Missouri
Oct 17th – USTF Class A Instructor Course – Broomfield, CO
Oct 18th – GM Sereff Fall Championship - Broomfield, CO
Oct – Testing
Dec – Axe TKD Class Holiday party
Dec 27-31 – Axe TKD Holiday break

Farewell to Old Friends, Welcome to New (by: Mr. Kevin A. Bushor, V Dan)

Our school is unique in that we not only have a steady flow of new students coming to join our class, but we also have a steady flow of old students moving on to other phases of their lives.  Our school has lost a number of long time students recently, and while their loss has been very sad for Master Todd and me, we understand that children must follow their parents and adults must move to where the job sends them.  Master Todd and I each spent over 20 years in the military, moving from base to base, and every move was hard on our families and friends.  We encourage all of our students who leave to continue with Taekwon-Do and remain active with the USTF where it is available.  We have also helped students start their own schools in some cases.

Our school has been very fortunate in recent years to have been able to retain students long enough to test to 2nd and 3rd degree black belts.  However this summer seems to have taken a more severe cut at our ranks.  Our school can only survive and stay successful with a steady flow of new students.  One of the only ways that we get new students is through “Word of Mouth.”  This means that current and former students, parents, and family members tell their friends, who tell their friends, who tell their friends, etc…

I would like to challenge each and every one of you to talk to one of your friends about Taekwon-Do some time between now and the end of this year.  Tell them what you like about TKD, what is hard about TKD, what is fun about TKD.  If they seem interested invite them to come and watch a class.  I don’t want you to pressure anyone.  Taekwon-Do isn’t for everyone and some folks won’t want to commit the time or money, but there may be someone out there who is only waiting to be invited to join in the fun.  I don’t intend to keep track of who did or didn’t do this, but it may be an opportunity for everyone to make our class better, and you may even make some new friends in the process.

“Just Do It” (by Ms. April Bowing, 3rd Dan)

            Motivation is something everyone needs whether it comes from other people or within themselves. In class everyone may not be able to do something while it looks effortless with other people. Taekwon-Do is an art in which no one is perfect. That is why we go to class, to practice and learn. When we have trouble doing something, like breaking for instance, some may not break the first time but all they need is some motivation to get through the board. For others it may not be that easy, they may need self-motivation. The “Yes I can” attitude, “Can’t” is NOT a word in the AXE TKD dictionary. If you say you can’t, then you won’t, but if you say “Yes I can” then you can.  Mind over matter is just one component when it comes to TKD.

            Tournaments are a different story. When it comes to tournaments most people get hyped up when people are yelling and screaming (respectively of course) when they are sparring. The spectators, which include family, friends and fellow classmates, put more energy into the fighters which, in turn, motivates them to spar better and faster! Even when someone loses a match they feel they did well because they fought the best that they could all because of a little motivation. So, when someone is feeling down about not being able to get or do something motivate them and tell them they CAN do it!