“Virtus” is the Latin word that is variously translated as “excellence, virtue, courage,” with a rather broad range of meanings. As a classical ideal, the word refers to achievement by means of dedication, and I think it is the most telling trait of the good student. Not everyone can make an A, but everyone can make a good effort, which makes virtus an ideal within the grasp of every Martial Art student and Black Belt leader. Grading and Graduations necessarily distinguishes excellent work/practice from average, but the effort made to earn a grade is the sole property of the student. When we do our best, we not only gain knowledge and skills, we also grow stronger in mind, body, and spirit. Mastery of the testing material is achieving much more than a passing grade. It is achieving the will and desire to “become” more than we currently are. When looked at it in this light, we realize that every student has equal access to the spirit of learning. Whenever a student makes connections, asks creative questions, or uses something he or she has studied outside of the classroom, the student owns it. The most important thing learned is not on the floor, in a textbook, or an exam: it is the spirit of learning, and it will serve our students for the rest of our lives.
Black Belt leaders are always striving for personal excellence as they know that one’s personal best leads to personal victory. They take their training and their study of the discipline of the martial arts seriously. As such, they are serious students and Black Belt leaders.
Congratulations to the following students for successfully completing the Winter 2006 testing cycle. The new promotions are:
| Chris Scarpino | 2nd Gup |
| Natalie Roy | 4th Gup |
| Sheraz Choudhary | 5th Gup |
| Angelika Fretzen | 5th Gup |
| Garrett Warfield | 6th Gup |
| David Horning | 7th Gup |
We would also like to welcome the following new students
| David Horning |
| Derrick De Young |
| Joost Van Hees |
| Jared Tester |
Welcome to the family! You have made the hardest but best decision of your lifetime. We hope that you will enjoy your training, and benefit from our large family.
6 students from Cambridge Tang Soo Do attended Grandmaster Byrne’s 33rd All Tang Soo Do Championships which was held this past Saturday March 19, 2006 in Lynnfield, MA. Our latest champions are:
| Anthony Sylvester: | 3rd place in Chinese Forms, 2nd place in Forms and 3rd place in Sparring |
| Chris Scarpino: | 3rd place in Weapons, 3rd place in Forms and 3rd place in Sparring |
| Katri Langel: | 3rd place in Forms, 2nd place in Sparring |
| Angelika Fretzen: | 2nd place in Forms |
Congratulations to all of you.
Cambridge Tang Soo Do would like to thank Mister Costa for attending our Winter 2005 Gup testing. The students who have successfully completed the test are:
| Bob Thomas | 1st Gup |
| Nan Silverman | 3rd Gup |
| Kosta Livitisky | 3rd Gup |
| Chris Scarpino | 3rd Gup |
| Clare Tyler | 4th Gup |
| Richard Heppner | 5th Gup |
| Sheraz Choudhary | 6th Gup |
| Angelika Fretzen | 6th Gup |
| Michael Van Heek | 7th Gup |
| Garrett Warfield | 7th Gup |
We would also like to welcome the following new students
| Catherine Village |