IKS Thoughts: David DiGregorio

Editor's Note: Prior to the 30th anniversary celebration that we had, I asked people to submit to me their thoughts about the school to share with the headmasters.   I have gathered these essays and will be adding them to this blog as "IKS Thoughts" over the next several months.   Today's submission was made by IKS Black Belt David DiGregorio.

Hello my name is David to those who are reading this. The Independent Karate School (IKS) has meant so much to me ever since I first started over sixteen years ago. From the time I first started at 12 years old it has given me great opportunities and a place that gives so much back to every individual, community and to future generations from values, teachings, memories, traditions and more.

Ever since I first started, my passion has increased from a level of dreams and imagination to a level of actual doing and using other many influences. My creativity has also risen from mature child drawings to writing novels, comic-books and more. Then of course the school gave me a place to get away from the everyday life, stress, responsibilities and other various everyday surprises, problems and issues.

Not only has the school done this for me, but being a place that gives so much back has much more meaning. The many meaningful times consist of many lessons of moral values, teachings and gaining many memories over the years as a student and as a teacher. The one memory that sticks out at the moment is the times Sensei Pete would tell stories with important morals to learn. One such story that popped in my mind now is the story about how to catch a monkey. I recently told this story one Tuesday class. Then either that Saturday or the following one of the highest ranking instructors asked the students if they heard the story from Sensei Pete. Some students said they did while one said they heard it from someone else, meaning myself. The reply surprised me at first but then moved me emotionally. It takes a student that has great dedication and passion not only to remember the stories and material but knowing the time and/or instructor who instructed the material, values, stories and or information. That is why whenever I take a vacation or go to any special events like weddings, graduations and such, I hate to leave.

My parents know how much the martial arts means to me. I remember the times when my mother would hate to pry into my karate life to ask me to go to events. Just recently she asked me to help out at a charity event. However I had given my availability to help out at the annual Rib-Festival, but then I changed my availability for my mother’s personal request. Even though it is hard for me to let karate go, even if it is for a few hours I find it much harder when the family leaves for a day or more. That is why I would sometime feel and think a student would ask while I am gone, “Where is Mr. D.?” or something to that nature, because of the impact and connections I have already made with them.

For these reasons karate is a part of my life. Wherever I am and wherever I go, I find it most joyous when I enter the school after I return. If you leave here with anything or not then remember two quotes, “Life is a journey and not a destination,” and “If you work hard enough and want it bad enough dreams do come true.” My best wishes are with you all. Thank you for your time and patience.