IKS Thoughts: Chris Guerrette

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 Chris Guerrette. 

Sensei Peter Desmarais
When I was seven years old my father took me to the Independent Karate School in Merrimack to sign me up for Karate. The dojo was in a small church basement with no signs outside to indicate there was a karate school there. The only indication one needed was the loud noise coming from within. When I walked in the dojo I was immediately intimidated by the loud noise and by the number of people in the class. However, the intimidation was quickly stifled when a man wearing a red gi top, black gi pants and a black belt which looked to be falling apart, came over to both my father and I with his hand extended to greet us. This man was Sensei Peter Desmarais, and little did I know this man would become an intricate part of my life and change it forever.

The Independent Karate School became a huge part of my life growing up. The school provided me with a positive outlet for my energy and the focus and patience needed to develop my mind. Furthermore, I’m extremely grateful for the time Sensei Desmarais took out of his own life to teach me the skills needed to develop into a martial artist. In addition, I credit a lot of my personal success in life to lessons taught to me by Sensei Desmarais.

It’s nearly been 19 years since I first step foot in that dojo, and still today I practice the lessons taught to me by Sensei Desmarais. I would like to thank him for his kindness, his devotion and his great influence on my life.


Hanshi Victor Nastasia
I first met Mr. Nastasia when I was a purple belt. I had an older cousin who was enrolled at the Independent Karate School in Nashua and had asked me to come join a Saturday morning class with him. It was then I was introduced to Mr. Nastasia and I can remember thinking how nice he was when he welcomed me to the class. He had a big smile on his face and like Sensei Desmarais, he made me feel right at home.

Although I was not as close to Hanshi Nastasia and I was to Sensei Desmarais (simply because I spent more time at the Merrimack school) I always admired how he treated people and made everyone around him feel important.  It did not matter if he was talking to a high ranking black belt or a tiny white belt, he made them feel equally important.

I have always admired Hanshi Nastasia for his dedication to his students, the time he has devoted and the difference he has made in everyones’ life. He truly is an example of greatness.


O-Sensei Desmarais
I first remember meeting O-Sensei Desmarais when I was about ten years old. He had come to the Merrimack school to demonstrate his style Enshudo to our class. Once I saw his style I could not wait to learn from him.

I remember spending a lot of time in his class at the Nashua school learning all sorts of great styles, such as Jyu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jyu-Jitsu, Judo, Aikido, and Boxing. I credit O-Sensei for opening my eyes to the other styles out there and for helping me become a more well-rounded martial artist.

Like Sensei Desmarais and Hanshi Nastasia, O-Sensei has made a difference in my life and has been a positive influence to me as a martial artis and a human being. O-Sensei is an inspiration to all and I would like to thank him for being a part of my life.