The MTA Karate academy is very pleased to announce the opening of the Langley AFB School. None other than Master R.J. Shaw, Founder of the MTA Karate Academy, is teaching classes at Langley AFB. Master Shaw is a dynamic instructor and leader, we are very proud of the MTA tradition of quality martial arts that he pioneered and has faithfully nurtured. We welcome all of Master Shaw’s new students to the MTA family and look forward watching you grow.

Please watch the website for additional information on schedules, activities and student profiles.

Announcement

Congratulations to Kimberly Rivera on making the A-B Honor roll. Kimberly is a member of the Langley Karate Club and was promoted to a Gold Belt in June. We are proud to authorize Kimberly to wear the coveted academic achiever badge. Keep up the good work!!!

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We are pleased to announce that Master R.J. Shaw has been promoted to 5th Dan effective March 1, 2002, under the hand of Master Alfred A. Huggins, 7th Dan Shorin Ryu.

Master Shaw began studying the Korean Tang Soo Do system at 14 years of age in 1977. He began studying the Okinawan Shorin Ryu system in1979, and though he has mastered both systems, he remains steadfast and loyal to the Korean Tang Soo Do system that he brought to the MTA Karate Academy. The influence of his life long study of the two systems, which are very similar in technique and kata, are evident in the superior kicking and punching style of MTA Karate students. Congratulations to Master Shaw on his recent promotion and thanks for 33 years of dedication to the study of the martial arts. Master Shaw who turns 47 on August 17th of this year has unselfishly shared his knowledge of the art with his students for over 3 decades. Best wishes and good luck in the future with the Langley AFB Karate Club.

1. Bow upon entering and leaving the Dojang.
2. Do not engage in loud conversation or disruptive activities.
3. Students should always remain silent when watching or participating in forms or sparring.
4. Do not wear watches or jewelry into the Dojang.
5. Do not chew gum or use tobacco products in the Dojang.
6. Wear a clean properly marked uniform with the appropriate belt.
7. Avoid drinking water, use water only to wash your mouth out during training.
8. Students should make an effort to notify the instructor in advance if an absence is anticipated.
9. Students should learn and use proper Dojang terminology.
10. When seated on the floor, students should silt with good posture, hands should be placed on the knees, the back should be straight and the legs should be crossed in front with the feet tucked beneath the thighs.
11. If a student needs to be recognized, the student should raise their hand and wait to be recognized by the instructor or senior student. Students should bow to the instructor, senior student or opponent.
12. When responding to an instructor or senior student the student should say “yes sir or no sir” as appropriate.

Japanese are not only Karate enthusiasts, they are also known for their love of gambling. With the rise of online casinos during the past few years many Japanese discover the wonders of the online casino world. Besides playing online slots, Japanese also like table games (especially blackjack) and bingo.

If you want to follow this Japanese tradition too, a good place to start is http://www.canadian-online-casino.ca, where you can find every time of game on the planet.

Special thanks to Adam from http://online-roulette.ca for helping us with the design and the actual printing process.

Jason Maher

Jason has consistently been an Honor roll student at Bill Hefner Elementary School.  During the last 9-week reporting period, he made straight A’s.  Jason is a member of the school’s Safety Patrol, Strings Orchestra (Viola). And Student Council. He is active in Boy Scouting and is a member of Troop 774.  Jason holds the rank of Green Belt in Tang Soo Do and is a second year member of the MTA KARATE ACADEMY EXHIBITION TEAM. Congratulations Jason! Keep up the good work!!

Joell Marlowe

Congratulations to Joell Marlowe on his brilliant academic performance during the 2002-2003 school year.  Taking 5 advanced placement and 2 honors classes, Joell has shown tremendous ability to achieve academically.  Specializing in public debate, Joell has won the right to be called a Member of Distinction in the National Forensics League.  Joell has also recently earned a chair on the NC All-State Orchestra as a classical viola player.  In additional to, and at least to some extent as a result of all of these accomplishments, Joell has been awarded a full AFROTC scholarship at NC A&T University in Greensboro, NC. .  Joell’s long-term goals include earning a Doctorate Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and competing for a slot in the U.S. Astronaut Program.  Joell is also an outstanding student of Tang Soo Do and a great role model for the younger students that are coming behind him.  Keep up the good work and continue to follow your dreams!!  Joell is hereby authorized to wear the academic achiever badge. Keep up the good work!!

Marisa Maher

Marisa Maher is a 7^th grade honor roll student at 71^st Classical Middle School.  She was selected by her Latin Language teacher to take the National Latin Exam on March 13, 2003.  Marisa is also a member of the Crime-Stoppers unit for her school.  She works directly with the school’s Deputy Sheriff and together they help establish a safe working and learning environment for her fellow classmates.

Marisa enjoys playing sports and participates in the Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Department’s Girl’s softball and volleyball programs.  She holds the rank of Red Belt in Tang Soo Do and is a second-year team captain of the MTA KARATE ACADEMY’S EXHIBITION TEAM.  On February 15, 2003, Marisa participated in the Union County Karate Classic at Wingate University in Wingate, NC, and captured 1^st place in her division in traditional kata competition.

Marisa’s strong work ethic and commitment to excellence is evidenced not just in her karate but in everything that she does.  Congratulations Marisa! Keep up the good work!!

Bobby has demonstrated his commitment to the Academy and to his knowledge of the Tang Soo Do through his teaching.  Bobby is only 7 years old yet he exemplifies the qualities of a seasoned martial artist and has already developed the leadership abilities and knowledge to successfully teach students from age 4 to adult.  The Academy would also like to thank our adult students for giving Bobby the opportunity to develop and demonstrate his teaching skills.  Keep up the good work Bobby!!

May 1, 2004, The AAU State Championship will be held at the Fayetteville Christian School on Ireland Dr.  This is the Nationals Qualifyer, please put this date on your calendar and watch the website for updates concerning this tournament.

July 6^th-10^th 2004, The AAU National Championship will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  For the best deals on lodging, please make your reservations well in advance.  You may visit the AAU website using this hyperlink for more information on this tournament. AAU Taekwondo Information

March 17th-18th 2004, the largest casino conference in the world will take place at the Crown casino, Australia. I know it’s not 100% related to what we do at MTA, but I plan to attend and you should consider doing the same. For more information about the agenda you can visit http://best-online-casino.ca and see if this is something you’re interested in.

MTA KARATE ACADEMY
18 October 2003

TO:  All 2003 MTA Karate Academy EXHIBITION TEAM AND NATIONAL TEAM competitors and the students of the NINTAIKAN KOBUDO KAI

FROM: Coach Maher

Dear MTA Karate and Nintaikan Kobudo Kai students:

The MTA Karate Academy is proud to announce that we have finally found the opportunity to enhance the quality of our program.  We invite you all to join us on Saturday, November 15, 2003 from 9am to 12 pm and again, Saturday, November 22, 2003 from 9am to 12pm for a grand performance of our successes as highly respectable and disciplined self-defense courses offered through Cumberland County Parks and Recreation. As representatives of the program, you will have the opportunity to “show your stuff” in front of a professionally equipped camera and film production crew.

Be prepared to start promptly at 9am (Kobudo filming begins at 11am, but you are welcome to come early and watch the other filming), you must look your best and be awake, be warmed up, and your uniform should be looking its best; MTA Special teams wear WHITE on the 15th and BLACK on the 22d)*, be ready to do a 2- hour photo shoot with the professional audio-visual technicians we have pre-arranged this time with.

Please understand that Proper MTA Karate Academy Protocol and Good Discipline should be adhered to at all times. **

I am extremely excited about this project and look forward to seeing all of you there.  This will be an opportunity to show our community how excellent work ethics (and Academic Achievement), respect for others, and self-discipline can enhance our prospects for the future.

If you are interested in participating, you will simply need to sign a video/photo release form giving us permission to use your name and photos on our websites, and/or other media related aspects of this project.

The gymnasium will be set up as a filming “studio”, or “set” with equipment and electrical cords lying on the floor; with this in mind, we ask parents to only bring the student(s) being filmed, and to make arrangements for other children, that are not participating, to be cared for away from the set. Everyone will have the opportunity to see the final outcome when editing is completed.

Any questions or for more details regarding this announcement should be directed to Coach Sally Maher, at 910 867-3316, or email:  majam2@aol.com subject: MTA Karate

Sally S. Maher
MTA Karate Academy, Coach

*See Sensei Jackson for Kobudo uniform requirements.
**Cameras will be filming simultaneously….put your best face onJ!

2003 National AAU Youth and Adult Taekwondo Championships

The National AAU Taekwondo Championships will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee from July 2, 2003 thru July 5, 2003.

The MTA Karate Academy’s competition team will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee on July 2, 2003 to participate in this National competition.  Currently  six students are scheduled to compete, they are:  Tiffany King, Marisa Maher, Corey Williams, Kevin Kane, Billie Long and Eiryn Elliott.

Kobudo classes begin at Lake Rim Recreation Center

Kobudo classes will begin promptly at 6:00pm Friday June 6, 2003 at Lake Rim Recreation center.  If you are enrolled and do not currently have a bo, please notify me immediately.  If you have any questions regarding the kobudo class, please see Mr. Garris in class or email.

The Union County Classic will be held on February 15, 2003

Please click on these links for details

NC AAU Taekwondo, Ju-Jitsu, and Judo State Championships,  Fayetteville, NC March 8, 2003.
For more information please contact KyoSaNim Garris at igarris@aol.com or Sally Maher at majam2@aol.com

More information will be available on the website asap

Congratulations to Joell Marlowe on his brilliant academic performance during the 2002-2003 school year.  Taking 5 advanced placement and 2 honors classes, Joell has shown tremendous ability to achieve academically.  Specializing in public debate, Joell has won the right to be called a Member of Distinction in the National Forensics League.  Joell has also recently earned a chair on the NC All-State Orchestra as a classical viola player.  In additional to, and at least to some extent as a result of all of these accomplishments, Joell has been awarded a full AFROTC scholarship at NC A&T University in Greensboro, NC. .  Joell’s long-term goals include earning a Doctorate Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and competing for a slot in the U.S. Astronaut Program.  Joell is also an outstanding student of Tang Soo Do and a great role model for the younger students that are coming behind him.  Keep up the good work and continue to follow your dreams!!  Joell is hereby authorized to wear the academic achiever badge. Keep up the good work!!

Students must insure that their uniform is well maintained and clean. We must always look neat and clean so that our appearance gives observers a good positive impression.

Students must be sure to keep their bodies clean, fingernails and toenails clipped. We do not want to offend our classmates with body odor, nor do we want injuries as the result of long finger or toenails.

Arriving at the Dojang

Before class starts, students should take care of their bodily needs, and spend their remaining time doing a series of stretching exercises to prepare themselves mentally and physically for class.

While In Class

Students will demonstrate self control at all times, refraining from outbursts, laughter and loud conversation. If a chief instructor or high ranking guest enters the Dojang the instructor or highest ranking student will call the class to attention and have the class bow, and immediately return the class to training.

Any student arriving late must wait to be recognized by the instructor and bowed in before they can commence training. Students must be bowed out by the instructor before leaving class.

Guest and Spectators

Guest and Spectators should not engage in disruptive conversation, and are asked to refrain from communicating with kids during training. If spectator have small children they should make a conscious effort to keep their small as quiet as possible. If they become a distraction, they should take them from the Dojang. Distractions can cause beginning students to get injured.

January 14th, 2002
Jason Maher, a fourth grader at Bill Hefner Elementary, was selected to represent his class in the preliminary rounds of the annual Geography Bee on January 10th. The top ten students (all of which are fourth and fifth graders) would then participate in the finals competition on Monday, January 14th. . We are proud to announce that Jason scored the highest among all the 4th and 5th graders from his school that participated in the event and will compete in the finals against nine other students next Monday. The students were only given guidelines and three days to prepare for the preliminaries. Congratulations Jason on a job well done, and GOOD LUCK in the finals!!

Added March 13, 2002
Congratulations to Jason Maher!  Jason is a member of Pack 733,
Webelo Den 7.  His Pack held their annual Pinewood Derby Race
on 9 March 2002.  The Pinewood Derby requires that the scouts
build their own vehicle out of a block of wood, then they compete in
different categories at the race.   Jason won a Gold Medal for Speed,
a Silver for Best Design, and a Bronze for Best Sports Theme (he chose the
NASCAR theme).  Jason and his car will compete at the District level on May
4, 2002.

Added May 26, 2003
Jason has consistently been an Honor roll student at Bill Hefner Elementary School.  During the last 9-week reporting period, he made straight A’s.  Jason is a member of the school’s Safety Patrol, Strings Orchestra(Viola). And Student Council. He is active in Boy Scouting and is a member of Troop 774.  Jason holds the rank of Green Belt in Tang Soo Do and is a second year member of the MTA KARATE ACADEMY EXHIBITION TEAM. Congratulations Jason! Keep up the good work!!

Master R.J. Shaw, founder of MTA Karate Academy, promoted Kimberly Rivera to Orange Belt on June 29, 2002, after just 3 months of dedication and hard work.  In addition to her success in the DoJang, Kimberly received various academic awards at the end of her school year.

Awards include the “3rd Grade Reading Award”, for the most books read throughout the school year, the “Excellence Academic Award” for being part of the school’s Honor Roll list once again, and the “President’s Education Award” with a letter signed by President and Mrs. Bush for “Outstanding Academic Excellence”.  Kimberly also had a successful soccer season by leading her team to first place with 12 goals during the season.  Because of Kimberly’s discipline, patience and perseverance, she received the “Self-Control Achievement Award” and also the “Christlike Attitude Trophy” at the end of her soccer season.  We are very proud of Kimberly’s achievements as she continues to grow and to set a good example for newer students at the MTA Karate Academy. Keep up the good work!!