Cambridge Tang Soo Do would like to congratulate the following students for successfully completing the 2008 Spring testing cycle. The new ranks are:
| Daniel Maibor | 3rd Gup |
| Abi Capobianco | 8th Gup |
| Kevin Palmer | 8th Gup |
| Traci Thoresen | 9th Gup |
| Ellen Cappo | 9th Gup |
| Mike Vemula | 9th Gup |
| Linh Chau | 9th Gup |
A warm welcome to the following students who have decided to start their journey in the Martial Arts at Cambridge Tang Soo Do:
| Ellen Cappo |
| Mike Vemula |
| Linh Chau |
A true Black Belt Leader & Champion radiates the confidence that all obstacles and challenges can be overcome and all their goals can be attained. Optimism inspires and empowers people to believe that they can do more and become better than ever before. It is one of the most powerful qualities for high achieving individuals. You learn to become an optimist by modeling the behaviors of other positive, optimistic, action oriented Black Belt Leaders & Champions. Think of someone that can be your Model and begin at once!
Black Belt Leaders & Champions are “I Can Do It!” people. They look for the good in every situation and always find a lesson to learn from setbacks. They never allow fear or doubt to cloud their thinking.
Black Belt Leaders & Champions focus on the future rather than the past. They look for the opportunity in every difficulty. They look for what can be done now, instead of worrying about what has happened in the past. They realize that they cannot change the past, however, they can create a better future.
Black Belt Leaders & Champions are solution oriented. They focus on the solution and their next action step, rather than the problem itself. They know they can change their mind from negative to positive in one second by focusing exclusively on solutions and taking positive steps to correct their course of action.
Think like a Black Belt Leader & Champion… Think and Be Optimistic!
A Black Belt is a worldwide recognized symbol that represents a high level of excellence, not just in physical skill, but also in attitude, behavior and character. Integrity is vital ingredient for any leader, in and out of the Martial Arts. Having integrity and a solid character, leads to earning the respect and trust of others. Black Belt Leaders always honor their commitments and accept their responsibilities in life. They are people that can be trusted and counted on, they are dependable and always there to back up their team, friends and family. As Leaders in our communities and as dedicated students of the Martial Arts, we must constantly remind ourselves to go beyond the physical aspects and to also practice the mental and character developing aspects of the arts. Black Belt leaders & champions live by a code of ethics and honor. They walk their talk and are value driven. Champions live by the principles of Black Belt Leadership. Being liked, trusted and respected by others is an honored position in life. To deserve this honor, we must always practice and live with Integrity.
Dear Master Klacko,
It is with great sincerity that I thank you for your teachings and knowledge that you’ve passed down to me over the years. The promotional ceremony last night was very exciting. I feel it’s a culmination of much effort by many people. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” certainly applies to martial arts. It takes the most senior and wizened to pass down the oldest traditions and to make sure all those under him/her who are disseminating those teachings uphold the original value. It takes juniors to learn and to challenge those above them in the process. It takes the newly interested and involved to continue growing the age old process and to ensure it never dies. It takes a personal and intimate commitment of all involved to be 100% vested in the educational, spiritual and physical growth of those around them.
I will endeavor to do my best at upholding that commitment, to you, my peers and the federation. I humbly thank you for not only your professionalism but for your friendship and support over the years through some very trying times. I will make every effort to do the same for those above and below me in the ranks who have played such an important part already in my development.
Respectfully Submitted,
Noelle Roderick-Drewicz
E Dan