Red Belt and Higher Testing Results -- Congratulations!

[MeLisa Turcott Strongheart]

How exciting is it for us to be able to watch, participate, and support in the development of these martial artists.  The students in the picture range in age from 9 to 58 years old. Ranks represented are from red belt through 5th degree black belt.  Most are from Mercer Island, but some come from Seattle, Bellevue, Newcastle, Shoreline, Kent, and Everett.  Pictured are individuals who have trained from 3 years, to over 30 years.   The combined years of training represented in this photo is something around 190 years of martial arts study.   What an incredible moment captured in this photo.

Congratulations to all the testers:

Advancing to Red Stripe belt:  Ethan Jackson, Peter Scarlett, Danielle Scarlett, Leonard Jung, Flynn Williamson, and Teddy Fischer.

 Advancing to Deputy Black Belt:  Mithrill Hugunin, Kenny Richards, and Corwin Silverman,  Advancing to first degree black belt:  Abby McPherson, and Jeffrey Tian.

Also, congratulations upon completing and passing her first test of the year long testing period for second degree, cho gyo nim Ena Wang.

Also, heartfelt thanks, and respect to all the black belts who came to show support and participate in their testing:

 Chogyonims (First degree black belts): Nathan Jackson, Killian Finneran, Pearl Rincon, Eric Sams, Joe McSweeney, Stan Vlcek, Eben Dieterich, Ken Li, and Walker Nelson.  

Kyo Sa Nims (2nd and 3rd degree instructors):  Claudia Vlcek, Victoria Harris, Nicholas Thorton-Jack, and Tia Booker.

Also Pictured above are the pleased, and proud, Sabumnim (masters), Krista Wells, and MeLisa Turcott Strongheart.  Thanks also to Nikki Weibe for getting this photo!