Independent Karate School Blog

Congratulations to Andrew Trexler

2010-06-02T21:49:00.000-04:00

The Independent Karate School prides itself on the accomplishments of it's students. This year, Andrew Trexler, one of our black belts graduated as the 2010 valedictorian of Cushing Academy.

In addition to graduating at the top of his class with a 4.25 GPA (weighted for AP courses), Andrew served his school as Class Treasurer, Yearbook Editor and Head Day-Student Proctor. He was the founder and first President of the Society Intellectus, a Cushing representative to the Critical Issues Forum of the Center for Non Proliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and recipient of the following awards:

Freshman Year – May 2007

Bennie E. Butler Prize for excellence in Freshman English

Robert C. Hall History Prize for excellence in Social Science and History

Paul J. Heslin Plane Geometry Award for excellence in Geometry

Class of 1888 Prize for the freshman who has achieved the highest academic average

Sophomore Year – May 2008

Classical & Modern Languages Department Prize for excellence in Intermediate Latin

Junior Year – May 2009

Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Sciences for that Junior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the humanities and social sciences (sponsored by the University of Rochester)

Elmira College Key Award to that junior who has achieved academic excellence and who has also demonstrated outstanding school or community leadership

Senior Year – May 2010

Cora Gilbert Lane 1885 Physics Prize for excellence in the study of Physics

Josephine Veinot Cook 1933 Valedictorian Award for having the highest average in the class

Congratulations Andrew. We are all very proud of you.

IKS Thoughts: Calissta Rohrpasser

2010-05-20T20:56:00.001-04:00

Happy Tournament Day!

2010-03-22T20:16:00.000-04:00

Every year I celebrate tournament day as if it's a holiday. I get excited every tournament weekend. This year I noticed that a few of my colleagues don't share my sentiment on the weekend, so I want to take a few moments to explain why this day is so special to me.

First of all, I do want to thank everyone who works so hard to make tournament weekend possible. There's a lot of work that goes into putting on the school tournament, and it requires the concerted effort of a lot of volunteers. This year things were particularly special for me (See my personal blog for more details).

Some black belts view the tournament as a purely competitive venture, and are turned off by it. I don't see things the same way. There is a certain amount of nostalgia to the event. Although a lot has changed since my first tournament... most of it remains the same. I also know how much participating in these tournaments has helped to shape my life experience. But this is so much more than just a competitive event. Let me explain what the tournament means to me by recapping my weekend. And I know from talking to my fellow black belts that a lot of them have similar experiences.

Saturday morning: I wake up early knowing that the tournament will start later in the day with black belt kata and weapons competition. I get Jane ready for her last class before she'll be competing and we head into the dojo. After getting Jane situated and into class, I socialize with the black belts... some of whom have taken time off of work, or traveled back to the school for the weekend just to be part of the festivities. There are dozens of black belts present - most of whom have been with the school for more than a decade. This is a type of homecoming for the school.

This year I was extremely happy that Shihan Horosewski was able to join us and help judge. I've known her for 30 years.

Saturday afternoon: Then a team of hard-working, caring senior black belts start a tournament where we get to see a group of very skilled and talented martial artists put forth their best efforts. While this is going on, another team of senior black belts is hard at work making sure that all of our bases are covered for the main competition taking place the following day.

The competition ends, and we dismiss for the day.

Saturday evening: Our annual traditional black belt dinner. This started years ago as a small affair where my wife and I made arrangements to have dinner with two black belts who were going to be center referees for the first time (Shihan Marsh and Sensei Giovinazzo). The first time it was a way to answer questions about judging and make sure that they were ready for the challenge ahead. Now it has evolved to a dinner for a couple of dozen black belts, and spouses.

It's a nice tradition that has evolved over time, and I look forward to it every year. It's not really about gearing the judges up for the big event... now it's a social activity where we get caught up and have an opportunity to visit with people who we don't get to see as often. It's relaxing, and fun. A lot of the attendees are adults now, some with their own kids. We have our share of college students, and quite a few teenagers.

Then it's off to bed. Tomorrow is tournament day.

Sunday morning: It's off to the tournament venue. It's now Bishop Guertin High School. In the past it's been in Merrimack, but lately we've cultivated a really great relationship with BG, and are excited to have the tournament there. I get their around 7:30... but I'm a relative latecomer. A group of black belts have been hard at work getting things ready, and even though I'm there more than an hour before the tournament is ready to start almost all of the physical setup is complete.

I spend the early part of the morning greeting more people who I haven't seen in a long time. Some are former students who have recently rejoined the school. Parents of students who have moved away, but stay connected with the school.

I also get a chance to talk with some of the senior black belts who for various reasons aren't as involved with the day to day operations of the school as they used to be (Shihan Scali, Shihan Susalka and the like).

As we get closer to the opening ceremony, I have the good fortune of running the black belt meeting. The main focus has always remained the same: how to make this event a positive experience for our students. Our goal is to make positive memories for lots of kids. It is not about who has the best form or who can break the most boards. It's about giving our students an experience that will help them grow - building up confidence and helping them to not be afraid of taking risks and performing in front of a crowd. It's about participation.

The black belts in the school know how important this is because we all went through it.

After the meeting we start the events of the day. The senior black belts are introduced. We are treated to a few demos (this year was a really nice Enshudo demo). We cap off the opening ceremony by presenting a $10,000 scholarship to a deserving black belt. (This year was Kelly Ethier who has been with the school for a long time and has grown tremendously as a person over the years. We're all very proud of her)

Since Craig Hutchinson died in 1992, our school has presented more than $102,000 to 25 different recipients. It's pretty amazing really.

And all of this has happened before we've even bowed the tournament in to get things started.

From that point on, things just get better. We watch students get the experience of performing in front of a crowd. See them gain confidence as they break wood. Learn the joy of competition as they spar with one another. Some will win, some will lose... and they learn how to deal with it. It's a microcosm of reality, and a good experience for the students.

Sunday Afternoon: Then the black belts finish up the competition. Self-defense demonstrations to showcase their skills, and put them on the spot. They need to prove that they can think on their feet and react to an attacker. Breaking to show thier technique and strength. (Some of these breaks are truly amazing). And we conclude the competition with kumite. By now, most of the crowd has dispersed, and the black belts who remain are physically exhausted.

Sunday Evening: We clean up the gym and head out to dinner. A nice relaxing conclusion to a wonderful weekend.

A special thank you to everyone who made it possible.

IKS Thoughts: Chris Joyal

2010-02-28T09:00:00.004-05:00

Man in the Arena

2010-02-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

We always encourage our students to compete in our annual school tournament. We feel that it's an important part of their growth. Nothing catches the idea of why we think it's so important as much as Teddy Roosevelt's speech The Man in the Arena:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

IKS Thoughts: Chris Guerrette

2010-02-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Photo: Black Belts at tournament

2010-02-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

IKS Thoughts: Sunish Oturkar

2010-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Breaking Classes

2010-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Breaking class will be held at the Nashua school on Feb 20th at 9am, March 2nd at 5:10pm and March 13th at 9am. Boards will be sold at the school for $1.30 each.

Students are not required to break wood in our system. However, it is a great training tool that helps build confidence, and can help students to refine their technique. Our school tournament does include a breaking event.

For safety reasons, we discourage students from practicing breaking without proper supervision. These classes are intended as an opportunity for students to try breaking, and practice for the upcoming tournament.

Commercial

2010-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

We are very excited to announce that we are making a commercial to try to boost our school enrollment. For the past 30 years, we have successfully relied on word of mouth to attract new students and run what we consider to be a very important resource in the lives of our students. After doing some research, and looking at resources that we have at our disposal we are planning on gathering footage at the school on Saturday February 13th to use in a commercial.

We are asking everyone to come and participate. If you're available to come into class this Saturday, please do so.

IKS Thoughts: Andrew Trexler

2010-02-07T09:00:00.001-05:00

IKS Participates in TD Bank Fundraiser

2010-02-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Scholarship foundation has an exciting and easy new way for you to support it. If you have an existing bank account with TDBank, or are planning to set one up in the near future, here’s what you can do:

Go to your local branch and say you want to support the Independent Karate School Scholarship Foundation through the TDBank Affinity program (ID Number A1280)
THAT’S IT!

At the end of the year, TDBank will take the average of all supporting accounts and a percentage of that balance will go directly to the scholarship as a donation! There is no extra obligation from you, except to spread the word about the program to your friends and family. TDBank will not disclose any individual or business financial information to the IKSSF so all information will stay confidential. If you are thinking of opening anew bank account, TDBank offers several great incentives to do so. They will be promoting their programs through the school on a semi-regular basis and their representatives would be happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

We hope you can help us with this effort by affiliating your account today, and spreading the word to your family, friends, colleagues and businesses. Thank You!

IKS Thoughts: John Diggins

2010-01-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

IKS Thoughts: Gerry Tanguay

2010-01-24T09:00:00.020-05:00

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 black belt Gerry Tanguay.

I have studied the martial arts for nearly twenty years and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences and activities throughout my life - holding prominence above nearly everything else while sharing a twin throne in my life with the visual arts.

The Independent Karate School has given me fond memories of the martial arts, however one man in particular is responsible in helping me establish the most basic concepts and skills that I now possess.
Meijin Victor Nastasia, whom I still habitually refer to as Hanshi.

When I first began to study the martial arts with Hanshi I most likely did not realize how much he would teach me, both in regards to the martial arts as well as many other facets of daily life. Looking back now I am able to see that his lessons helped in providing the foundation necessary to become a confident and capable adult with the ability to take control of a situation and work through it successfully. At this point in my early years of studying kenpo with Hanshi my views on the martial arts were rooted mainly in The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Karate Kid.

Every week I would go to class, Monday afternoon at four o’clock, excited about practicing kenpo and excited to see Hanshi again. Eventually I was asked to help instruct, a responsibility which I took very seriously as I assisted on Tuesday nights. As a result of instructing I became more aware of how to speak and how to present myself to others through body language and precision. I had begun to truly understand the position of a role model and why it was important to be responsible not just inside the dojo while practicing or instructing but also outside of the dojo in everyday life. It is impossible to teach a student respect if you do not actively show respect yourself.

On Saturday, October 19th 1996 my outlook on the martial arts and instructing would be elevated to a new level after one of the longest and most intense experiences of my life. That afternoon I received my first degree black belt, finally accomplishing a goal that I had set for myself many years before. The excitement lingered for quite some time, however, I noticed that there was something even more powerful overshadowing my joy. I realized that my responsibility had easily doubled and that I would now need to work even harder on my own material so that my teaching skills could also progress to the next level.

I looked to Hanshi at this point more than I had before. I looked to his experience in helping me to overcome new challenges and to find tricks to improve my instructing. I also began to notice that I was more self-reliant. I had begun to form my own methods for dealing with large groups or in teaching small classes. I had more experiences to pull from and I found that I was now able to share not only Hanshi’s lessons but also my own. The man that I am had emerged from a young martial artist.

As time progressed I began to realize the true responsibility of a martial artist. Our responsibility is to become the best possible person that we are capable of and in doing this to commit ourselves to an ideal in all aspects of our lives. We do not simply put all of ourselves into practicing the martial arts, we put all of ourselves into any project or task that is set by us or for us. We do not stand by while others do work; instead we are the first to begin working. We take the initiative in life so that we may become an example to everyone else of how a person should live and act. We show respect to everyone, we exemplify discipline and courtesy, we teach the way of peace.

Around this time I watched The Karate Kid for the first time since I was a young boy. I was surprised to notice how well the film portrayed the principles of budo through Mr. Miyagi. I noticed that many of the ways which Mr. Miyagi described the martial arts were consistent with the ways that I had come to view them through my training at the Independent Karate School.

This realization had come over the course of many years and as I began to live my life by the principles that I had learned through kenpo I found myself about to embark on a new journey, one that would take me away from the Independent Karate School for what seemed like an eternity.

I left for Montserrat College of Art in the fall of 2001, excited for what was ahead but wary of some of the things that I left behind. Although my college was relatively close to the karate school, my class schedule made it difficult to make my way back except during some summer breaks. Despite my guilt over being absent from the dojo I knew that I needed to focus on my college work.

I graduated from Montserrat College of Art in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Illustration. I remained at the school for one extra semester in order to complete the art education program which would leave me certified to teach the visual arts.

As I finished this program participating in a full-time practicum I once again found that Hanshi’s lessons remained ingrained in my being. I used the skills that I had developed in the martial arts and adjusted them to fit perfectly into the world of elementary art education. My supervising practitioner often commented that my public speaking skills, classroom management skills and ability to connect with the students on their level without changing who I am or how I speak to them was far above average for even first year teachers. I told her that I would not have had nearly as much experience in teaching if not for the Independent Karate School and Hanshi Nastasia.

The completion of my practicum brought an end to my time at Montserrat. I left prepared to enter the ‘real world’ as so many often call it. After settling back into life outside of college I found that there was something missing in my day to day life. I had continued to practice the martial arts throughout my time at college; however there was still the fact that I had been away from the school itself and all of the people who make it the home that it is.

I walked into the dojo one afternoon in order to rectify this absence in my life. As I entered I saw the man who is present in ninety percent of my childhood memories, a smile spread across his face as he walked over to me and we spoke for some time. That afternoon I fell back into the school as though I had not been gone, it was truly a feeling equivalent to that of returning home from an extended journey. The feeling that something was missing subsided and I came to feel complete once again. I am no longer simply the man that had emerged from a young martial artist; I bring to the school my experiences in kenpo and in teaching, I bring my knowledge of the visual arts and an ability to relate it to what we practice in the dojo. I am an instructor. I am an IKS black belt.

I take great pride in my responsibility as an instructor and uchi-deshi for the Independent Karate School because I have spent most of my life learning, sharing and instructing here. The school has been built as a home for all of us who attend, for all of us who share a common interest and belief in the principles of the martial arts. This would not have been possible if not for the inception of the Independent Karate School thirty years ago.

Enshudo News - January 2010

2010-01-23T05:53:00.001-05:00

On December 15, 2009 David DiGregorio an Enshudo Uchi Deshi was promoted to yondan (4th degree black belt). David is an accomplished black belt in both enshudo and kenpo.

The school would like to extend a special thank you to the Horn family for hosting our annual holiday party this year.

O-Sensei has agreed to incorporate arnis de mano (Filipino stick fighting) into the enshudo program. We currently include the bo and the cane. Many thanks to the highly skilled black belts in enshudo who are responsible for the incorporation of arnis into our system, particularly Gerry Tanguay who created a professional quality illustrated guide.

IKS Thoughts: Jeff Maistrosky

2010-01-17T11:55:00.001-05:00

As I started pondering what to say in this essay, I couldn’t escape the truth that no matter what I wrote, many other minds, vastly superior to me in intellectual prowess, would have already written it. It seems impossible to write praises to the Independent Karate School without repeating others. However, the more I think about it, I am comforted and pleased by that fact. If one person, group or organization can inspire people to write praises about them in similar veins, it stands as a testament to their mission and goals, now having been realized by the very people they hoped to impact.

One thing about the school that always amazes me is how much it is preceded by its reputation. Although I have been exposed to this fact several times throughout our history, I continue to be reminded of it today. In June 2009, I had the distinction of attending an awards dinner for our most recent scholarship recipient. Whenever someone was introduced to us and learned that we were representing the IKS, they began to get all starry eyed and awestruck. Not only that, but our charity was the only one to get a distinct crowd reaction of “murmurs of amazement” as we presented. No doubt, the size of our award contributed to those reactions, but the greater victory (aside from helping a young lady go to Nursing school) was the fact that our reputation continued to spread far and wide that night. It did the exact same thing at the 2009 Rockin Ribfest, when more people, Rotarians included, recognized us for the values that we have been instilling in our students since the day they started at the school. I cannot recall how many people told us that the dependable and energetic work of our students was an indispensable resource to the event. The fact that we have presented an image of what Karate should develop in a person, and we continue to practice what we preach throughout the years, is a legacy in and of itself.

The IKS has also become one of the ‘great enablers’ of our community, instilling all of its students with two skills, among several others, that enable them to excel in life: discipline and courtesy. It is not easy for many to maintain their drive to see tasks and problems through to completion. This stresses how important discipline in the dojo, as well as outside of it, is today. Hand in hand with that, the virtue of courtesy exemplifies a greater goal for the school: promoting tolerance and understanding amongst people, allowing peace to triumph over war in a world that is in dire need of peaceful solutions.

For our motivated and innovative student minds, the school’s vision for them is clear: Allow the instructors to tell them what to do in class so that they can, eventually, tell themselves what to do in their lives. The examples set by the past & present role models provide continued support to the school’s legacy and provide inspiration for today’s students to establish their own paths. Even now, after having been at the school for over 20 years, I still find ways to contribute to and develop an entity that has done so much for my own development. I have applied the discipline of the dojo to my various dealings in the professional world and the many volunteer projects that the IKS and I engage in. Those skills have served me well, as I know they will continue to do as I grow into my role with the Scholarship Foundation.

IKS Thoughts: Jeff Therrien

2010-01-09T08:53:00.001-05:00

On a mild spring night, I sat in the chairs in the basement of Our Lady of Mercy church in Merrimack to observe the children’s Kenpo class. I was there at the invitation of a friend whose son was a young black belt. My son was terribly shy, hesitant, with no self confidence and I was looking for an activity for him that would help him come out of his shell. At the end of the class, Sensei Pete opened the floor for questions. A tiny child asked a question that was obvious even to me, someone who knew nothing about the martial arts. Peter answered that question as if it were the most important topic in the world, taking two steps back as he did so, encompassing the entire class with his answer. I decided Independent Karate was the right school at that moment.

So, I enrolled my son in the class, and his first night was a disaster. He changed his mind about wanting to do it, and cried and hid behind my leg. A young black belt named Adam Burpee got on his knees to talk with Jacob, and invited him out on the floor, with me tagging along for support, to at least give it a try. Adam’s kindness and patience became a pivotal moment in Jake’s life.

I personally came to the school by way of my 40^th birthday, when I received a cane as an “over the hill” gift. The same person who had invited me to the Kenpo class told me O’Sensei could teach me to use it as a weapon. I found this intriguing and tried an En Shu Do class. I was immediately hooked, not as much by the prospect of learning a self defense, but more by the fun everyone was having doing it.

The years have passed, with the increase in knowledge that time spent studying will bring. My life hasn’t turned out the way I thought it would, but through it all, the Independent Karate School has been an anchor when things are not going too well. The friends I have made are never judgmental, only supportive. It has become a place of refuge for me, a few hours a week where I am focused, finding an inner peace that eludes me the rest of the time.

Jacob is now a young man getting ready to attend college. As I watch him teach, behind his good humor, I see the quiet confidence and patience I had observed in Adam so many years ago and I can’t help but feel it has come full circle.

What does the Independent Karate School mean to me? Something that is only trivialized by words, made stronger by the purpose of the school. As the school celebrates its’ 30^th year, I can honor it only by struggling to achieve the same purpose in my daily life, to always be honest, humble, and to do the right thing while helping others to do the same.

Thank you for all you have done.

Jeff Therrien

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T23:31:00.000-05:00

It's a tradition for people to make New Years Resolutions... usually about shedding unwanted pounds, or being healthier. My father had an annual tradition where he would give up smoking. The celebration of a new year is a perfect time to reflect on our lives and decide how to make things better.

I'd like to encourage students of the IKS to think about what they can do to make their journey into the martial arts better. Is it possible to commit yourself to going to one more class a week? Or maybe setting aside 15 minutes every morning for stretching?

If you pledged to learn one new kenpo technique every week, at the end of the year, you would have 52 more kenpo techniques in your knowledgebase.

I suggest that all students evaluate what they can do to improve themselves, pick a modest goal, and strive to achieve it.

The power here is learning to change your habits. If you want to get better at kata, set aside 15 minutes a day to run through your katas at home. If you need to become more flexible, ask Sensei Pete or another senior instructor to advise you on what you can try at home to reach your goal, and set a schedule to follow up on it. Want to become an expert on martial arts history? Talk to the history buffs in the school, like Shihan Marsh and find sources he recommends for you to study from.

The journey through the martial arts can be an exciting one, but you will only get out of it what you put into it. Take this new year to ask yourself if you want to get more out of your experience, and if you do, then figure out how.

Yours in kenpo,

- Shihan Kittredge

IKS Thoughts: Erica Giovinazzo

2009-12-20T07:36:00.001-05:00

Holiday Party

2009-12-14T00:18:00.000-05:00

Our school has a tradition of hosting a holiday party for our students every year in December. The party involves food and games.   For the past few years, I've had the honor of being the "Gamesmaster", and just wanted to take a few moments to let people know how we usually do things at the party.

We usually start off taking a quick poll of how old the students at the party are... this will allow us to get a reasonable break up based on age.   Most games are split into two different age groups.

We've had a number of games that we've done over the years.   We do some every year (like "Simon Says"), others happen much less frequently (like "Stand off").    But I think that they're all fun.   These are the same games that I played at the holiday parties when I started at the dojo back in 1984. Black belts attending the party act as judges, and prizes are awarded.

We usually start off with a race, where students need to run across the dojo, pick up a 'moon rock' and carry it underneath their chin back to the starting point.   At some point we usually have some version of a game that involves throwing moon rocks at the black belts.     And every year, we finish the party off with Simon Says.

We do have snacks in the dojo... if anyone is inclined to bring baked goods, please do so.   (There's usually a sign up sheet either in the office or on one of the school bulletin boards)

It really is a fun time for our dojo family. This year it will be happening on Saturday Dec. 19th starting at 10am.

IKS Thoughts: Rich Mohrmann

2009-12-13T08:03:00.000-05:00

Photo: Morning Stretch

2009-12-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

IKS black belts converse while stretching in preparation for a tournament.

Promoting the School

2009-12-08T06:33:00.003-05:00

A special thanks goes out to everyone that attended our 30th Anniversary celebration in November. It was very well received and wonderful to see many familiar faces. Hopefully we will be able to continue our instruction of NH kids and adults well past our 50th anniversary!

Don't forget that to help us get there, everyone has the ability to help! There are so many ways to do it:

Spread the word to your families and friends about the school, its classes, its values and what it has done for you in the past and present
Read up on the articles available at the website and share them with others.
Come back to take a class (mostly for the alumni :-D ). There were definitely multiple mentions at the 30th regarding desires to get back into the school and how much you miss it
Be on the lookout for public demonstrations on our media outets, help us document them (pictures, news articles, etc) and help us spread the knowledge of them. We're always open to new opportunities for demos as well.
Find out what you can do to help out the scholarship (I will make a separate post about this one)

Thanks all!
~Jeff

IKS Thoughts: David DiGregorio

2009-12-06T23:00:00.002-05:00

Photo: Angela Recieves Scholarship

2009-12-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

Angela Freeman was the 2009 recipient of the Craig Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship.

IKS Thoughts: Shaun Sullivan

2009-11-29T11:16:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the IKS Blog

2009-09-16T19:51:00.000-04:00

Greetings and welcome to the IKS blog!

We created this blog as a forum for some of the senior members of the IKS community to express their thoughts through an online forum. We hope that this is a useful tool for all of our students. We will be adding much more content in the coming months.