The Boulder School of Self Defense and its satellite program, Commerce Karate Club continues to thrive. In June of last year we honored Sensei Dusenbery with a surprise appreciation party. Sensei has committed his time and dedication to the Commerce Karate Club and we felt it due time to show him just how much we appreciated his service. I know that we show our appreciation by moving on to new levels and growing in our Art, and sharing what we have learned with other students. But sometimes a little extra is required. Sensei was pleasantly surprised.

During the past ten months many of our students moved on to new levels. Sher Wagoner, David Dater and Tawni Tidwell have moved on to Yellow Belt. Just a few brief words about Tawni. She was with the Commerce Karate Club for just about two months and showed such natural ability and drive that in that time she was able to successfully test for Yellow Belt with the highest score I've seen. Tawni has gone on to University where I know she will excel. Glen Pankow, Ken Allen, Dan Cziczo and Jamie Riggs have reached the Orange Belt level. John Walsh was promoted to Green Belt. John displayed a lot of grit during the sparring portion of his test. He has shown tremendous improvement in the past year. Joanne Edwards has finally reached the level of Ikkyu.

Congratulations to everyone for a job well done!!!

Let us begin with the first of many positive events: the promotion of Sempai Folger to Shodan! Sempai is the first of Sandan Wilkewitz' students to become a certified black belt. Congratulations to both of them!

Other promotions include Cody Rideout, who is now a Yellow Belt. Jessica Gordan, Marshall Allin and Sarah Fintelmann are all Orange Belts. David Jordan and Liz Cooley have been promoted to Green. And the recently promoted Yankyu, Ayumi Deeny, has set a date in late summer for Sankyu!

Our advanced ranks are also maturing. Aside from Sempai Folger's recent experience, Chuck Fussman has been promoted to Ikkyu, and Tom Briggs (who is on the "Shodan-ho fast track" due to plans for the Navy) is now at Nikyu.

Keep it up, everyone!

The P.P.A. remained busy through the winter months. Students worked diligently to promote the school and our efforts paid off. We are proud to announce we have students ranked white belt through 1st degree brown.

Lisa Caldwell, Jay Tullos, Michael George, and Donna Giroux all completed the DART Assistant instructors course. We look forward to our first DART seminar in the coming months.

Our proudest announcement is two new members of our Karate family. Perri Kay Marshall, daughter of purple belt Lance Marshall and wife Linda, came into the world on Jan. 27, 2001. And congratulations to Sensei Bushue and wife Terri on the birth of their son Kerry Cole Bushue born Jan 6, 2001.

Both babies are healthy and both fathers are happily loosing sleep. Again congratulations to both families from your Karate family.

The P.P.A. proudly announces that Diego Garcia reached the rank of second degree brown, Cory Smith obtained his Yellow belt and Sean Smith and Brian Fincher successfully tested for their yellow and orange belts. The spring and summer looks promising for the P.P.A.. We extend open invitations to all to join us when they can. Good luck and God bless.

On another note, the PPA currently has available video training tapes for Yellow through Green as well as a beginners manual to the martial arts covering requirements and pictures for Yellow and Orange belt levels.

For those who trained with us back in the "old days", you may remember Vance Woodworth. Vance recently rejoined us after many years absence due to his job schedule. He was searching for a way to relieve the tensions and anxiety of his wife's battle with cancer, a battle we were saddened to see she recently lost. Our hearts and our prayers go out to Vance and his family.

I was recently sent by my company for a week of advanced software engineering training in Cincinnati, OH. It was an interesting experience as 4 of the other students were from diverse parts of India, one from Brazil, and another from Indonesia. I had several enjoyable meals discussing all of these diverse cultures, their politics, religion, music, movies, etc. It was an education opportunity almost equal to that of the course. I could only suggest that anyone going to Cincinnati try Arnold's Restaurant on 8th Street. It is Cincinnati's oldest pub, founded in 1861- little has changed; it is quite unique, to say the least! But the food and atmosphere are outstanding. Even my new friends fully enjoyed Arnold's, some going back for a second time.

Both Scott Williams and Rick Downs have been working hard toward their next promotion to 2nd Degree Brown, as is Jim Mason toward his Pending level. Jobs and family problems keep getting in the way, however. But all find comfort in their study in the art. It's what keeps us all together and striving. No one gives up and we only feel sorry for ourselves once a year for fifteen minutes. That's it! Line up! Basics!

Since the last newsletter came out Somersworth School of Self Defense (SSSD) has been actively pursuing student enrollment, student growth, and communal participation. These activities began when Sensei and Sandan House participated in Grandmaster Dusenbery's 2000 Disciple Retreat. A lot of information was exchanged and when Sensei and Sandan came back SSSD was full of Vim and Vigger. The following bullets are the results, thus far, of our desire to accomplish our goals.

1. A new campaign for student enrollment was instituted. We have two new students (Brad Stewart and Matt Wade) at the onset and expect more to follow.
2. Sensei established a dojo in his basement so that we would have a second night of workout. Monday nights, at his home, is designated as the time to learn new material and discussions, while Wednesday nights are "rocking' and rolling'" time.
3. One of our goals was to be better technicians so; Shodan Holman has taken responsibility for ensuring the Black Belts provide more seminars and clinics for the students.
4. Sankyu Scott Williams (student at Rose School of Karate) came to work out with us. The evenings topic was on centering, with lots of Multiple Step Back Block and Counter. A message to Sankyu Williams, "We enjoyed having you and you are welcomed to come back any time. We all had a great time working out with you."
5. Some of the students (two green belts, one brown belt, and one black belt) participated in the '2000 Friendship' Tournament, hosted by Chris Bashaw from the Mizu Tama Dojo. This tournament was geared for students below the rank of Black Belt level. Ikkyu Marty Richter placed second in Adult Sparring and third in Adult Kata - congratulations on a job well done! Sandan House participated as a judge in the Kata and Sparring competitions. Sandan also conducted a half-hour clinic on grappling.
6. SSSD has an open door policy for fellow Association members and all Martial Artists. We extended our hands to Andrew Cherouvis. Mr. Cherouvis has been in the Martial Arts for approximately 27 years. He is from New York and holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Jiujitsu Shintai. Mr. Cherouvis is an excellent technician.

The Storm Dragon Schools are especially proud to observe the promotion of Dave and William Shuler, our first father and son team, to pending blackbelt. They have worked hard, inspired and encouraged each other and their fellow students. They are a credit to Yondan Larison's instruction.