UPCOMING EVENTS/LINKS
Jun Chong Invitational Tournament October 11th, 2009
Belt Exams October 23rd and 24th, 2009
Annual Holiday Student Showcase December 12th, 2009
Battle of LA Annual Martial Arts Championships
Saturday, May 8th, 2010
View the RPKC Demonstration Team at last year's Battle of L.A.
Click Here
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Welcome New Students
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Andy Aguila
Anthony Aguila
Brian Atienza
Xavier Castillo
Vaughn Esseveld
Emmanuel Gyadu
Brandon Kaufman
Michael Khachaturou
Alex Kokonis
Joshua Kopell
Adam Kopell
Seth Lugo
Milini Rambukwella
Roger Thomas
Jonah Green
Brandon Torres
Justin Stavin
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Congratulations Student Belt Exams 8/15/09
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YELLOW BELTS
Donna Quan
Kelvin Do
Tiffany Do
Jonah Green
Laura Mencia
Robert Castillero
Bella Castillero
Brandon Torres
Aslam Canchimohamed
Nathaniel Heaton
PURPLE BELTS
Jaime Mencia
Eric Browning
ORANGE BELTS
Rachel Heaton
BLUE BELTS
Robert Sprague
Kelli Brady
Jake Evans
Deja Bickers
GREEN BELTS
Linnea Luker
Brian Fung
RED BELTS
Annie Evans
Ruslan Rassohin
Nick Waruszewski
BROWN BELTS
Tracey Evans
Michelle Lerner
Diana Lerner
Jonah Warschaw
1st DAN
Ms. Mahsa Ostowari
Mr. Mishan Rambukwella
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We would like to hear from you!
If you have feedback about our newsletter, or would like to contribute an article about your Martial Arts experience, please
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RIFKIN PROFESSIONAL KARATE CENTER
Newsletter September 2009
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 The Lifer
Going your distance
Attending high school in northern New Hampshire, I had an experience I will forever remember. In the winter, the snowbanks topped six to seven feet, the icy wind blew across the campus and stabbed at you relentlessly. The sun began to set at 3:45 in the afternoon and darkness fell fast. Classes six days a week and enough homework to keep you busy long after lights out. Waking up at 5am every morning in the winter to check if it snowed...must have my assigned walkway shoveled before first light, etc. Snow camping and survival training two weeks without shelter. Not to cast a shadow on my time there, as it was a truly amazing experience.
We studied there, played there, slept there, lived there nine months out of the year. There was no question whether you would complete your education, there was no option. If you didn't have what it took to go the distance, you wouldn't be there. You were considered a "Lifer".
When I look at that experience and what it taught me about perseverance, I think about the journey to Black Belt. When a person interested in training at our school comes in for an initial meeting, very few (far too few) have it in their mind that they want to become a Black Belt....yet. Eventually, they will have that goal somewhere in their mind, though many will not yet admit it. A Lifer sees it no other way. A Lifer begins training to become a Black Belt. Once the goal is achieved, a Lifer looks to new goals in their training, new material and new accomplishments. The transformation one makes to become a Martial Artist is an intentional life-change, a commitment to training and all that comes with it. Our students' training to become a Black Belt, physically, mentally, and emotionally, begins with their first class as a beginner. We train students to find their best...to be there best. Is there any other goal?
In the Martial Arts, we are the product. There is no ball to put away, no racket and no net to leave on the court or field. We walk away from class with all that we trained...ourselves. Our bodies and our minds are the end result, that which we work hard to improve. So when you commit to training, envision that which you WILL become, envision yourself a Black Belt. Go the distance and never give up.
Be a Lifer!
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Class Schedule Change
With the school year once again upon us, we are in need of some schedule changes. Effective as of Tuesday, August 25th. Please take note: - The Children's Black Belt Club class will be Tuesdays at 6pm instead of Thursdays.
- The Children's Advanced Belts (Blue and Green) on Wednesdays is moving from 5pm to 6pm.
- The Intermediate/Advanced Adult class on Thursdays at 6pm will now be Tuesdays at 7pm.
- White and Yellow Belt Adults will continue to have class Tuesdays at 7pm, but they will be split into their respective material in the Thursday 6pm class.
If you have any questions regarding the class time change, please do not hesitate to call and ask.
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 Congratulations,
Ms. Ostowari and Mr. Rambukwella
I would like to congratulate and welcome Ms. Mahsa Ostowari and Mr. Mishan Rambukwella as our newest Black Belts. Their exam this past Saturday, August 15th, was a triumph for both. Long past physical exhuastion, they dug deep and found the willpower to continue and eventually complete the grueling exam. They have been students of Rifkin Professional Karate since 10 and 11years old. Now standing strong at 17, we are proud of them...both for the stronger individuals they have become and for the courage to continue down this path they have chosen. It is a pleasure to welcome them to our Black Belt family! Look for them on our new Black Belt Honor Roll page! |
 Good Luck Ms. Thacker!
Headed for college
As many of you already know, Ms. Brittany Thacker, one of our newer Black Belt instructors, is headed to Virginia for college. After a great send-off gathering, and a few tears, she heads to Roanoke, VA to begin her college experience. Brittany has not only been an integral part of our school, but of my own extended family as well (she has been staying at our home for the last 3 weeks). We expect her back for the Holiday break and again for summer.
We wish her the best of luck and great success!
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Ms. Smith in "The Colony"After being gone on
location for several recent months, Ms. Smith is back while her show,
"The Colony" airs.
Based on the principle of building a society from
scratch in a post-apocalyptic world (her Martial Arts experience does show its head), the show airs on the Discovery Channel Tuesdays at 8pm. Look for her back in class!
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Overcoming Great Obstacles
The Wall
I was moving at a good pace,
But I could feel it coming.
I tried to deny it existed,
I turned the corner there it was,
The Wall,
My fear of it seemed to accelerate it's draining presence,
My heart raced
My lungs seem to have shrunk they could not get enough air
I looked up at the massive blockade
It stood between my goal and me.
Thoughts of quitting crossed my mind like graffiti on the
face of the Wall.
It stopped me at the point of my greatest progress,
In a moment of determination I pushed against the Wall,
To my surprise it moved a fraction of an inch...
Stunned, I stood back and looked at the monolith and saw,
Though it was huge in height and width,
It had no anchor in a solid foundation,
It had no connection to a cornerstone,
I reached deep inside for the strength I had left and pushed
again,
It slid ever so slight,
I pushed again and again.
I found the Wall's secret weakness,
It isn't attached to anything.
By Dustin Pappas
Red Belt, R.P.K.C.
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