Congratulations to the following deshi who tested and were promoted today by Hanshi Scaglione:

The following pargraphs were submitted by the deshi testing:

Carla Alveros-Eddy, Iky-kyu (Black tips)
The Red Book (Question and Answer Book) tells us that “there is an old saying “Many paths, one summit.” This implies each student must use their different abilities “to get to the same place”, our own distant goal. Chotoku Kyan (Small Eyes) who was rather small and in poor health, but he was able to turn his weakness to his advantage. The book tells us that “success in budo (Japanese martial arts) does not necessarily rely on how you are built; rather, it depends on how strenuously you try to train yourself. The most important thing is to master one waza (technique) which is best adapted to your physical constitution.” Performing Karate as a female has it’s disadvantages but also it’s advantages. I may not be have much strength or speed, but I have agility and the element of surprise. Saying that, as a student, I should take my weaknesses and turn them into my strengths. It is stated that “constant hard work and a strong will are the only ways to make a student of karate achiever the secrets and beauties of karate-do.

Christopher Iannaccone, Ni - Kyu (Brown belt)
After two years of training I am still thrilled with the way karate has given me sense of purpose and weight towards being. With the upper ranks come further knowledge of control, force, weight distribution and posture/form, but also one other piece of life that most people shirk when it comes into view; Responsibility.

Responsibility to pass on the learned to the new student with guidance from keeping them, yourself or others from harm, and the accountability for your own attendance and the performance of those following up the chain behind you. When you attain the level of journeyman in a trade, organization or union, it is those you train and build up who come to designate you “master”; not a self-proclamation that those who are irresponsible may feel is owed them.

Kelsea Besaw, Yon kyu (Green Belt)
Submitted drawing of Shorin-Ryu Patch

Steve Turner, Yon kyu (Green Belt)
As the date for Yon Kyu testing nears, I am reflecting on the past months since I began training in your dojo. To say the least I have thouroughly enjoyed my time in the dojo and the camraderie with instructors and deshi. More importantly I feel that I am making progress towards the goals I have set for myself. I make a point of attending every session I possibly can because it is excellent exercise, and because I learn a lot by being exposed to different instructors. I particularly like your sessions (Sensei Chaskelson) and Sensei Oscarson's because they push me beyond my "comfort zone" and allows me to explore what's beyond those self-imposed limits. It goes without saying that the sessions with Hanshi are like gold because he seems to see everything and cues us into to the smallest details and subtleties so that bad habits don't have a chance to get ingrained. All of us in the Cocoa Beach dojo should feel pretty lucky to have so much exposure to his skills, knowledge and wisdom. I have come to see that each instructor has a different emphasis on training and I see this as a great advantage in my development in the martial arts, and I'm greatful that your dojo and Sensei Oscarson's dojo allow for so many opportunities to attend sessions. I hate to miss even one day because I feel "rusty" if I do. I have been told by many that attaining Yon Kyu marks the beginning of a more intense involvement in Shorin Ryu and if I am fortunate enough to attain Yon Kyu this month, I eagerly look forward to that experience.

John Hurdle, Yon kyu (Green Belt): The Discipline of Karate
The discipline of Karate is not an end unto itself. The mental skills developed during our dojo training translate over into our personal lives empowering us to face challenges with clarity and confidence

Russ Rose, Yon kyu (Green Belt)
Fukyugata San is my highest Kata to date. It is the third Kata in Shorin-Ryu Karate. The Red Questions and Answers book tells us that the first three kata's are the basics. I of coarse want to be a tenth degree Black belt like yesterday, but the Red book explains the importance of developing a foundation, The senei must insist on the display of patients in the deshi's attitude. What may first appear as the longest road, in reality may be the quickest way to achieve a goal. It goes into more detail but this is supposed to be a paragraph not an essay. So ... for today I learn, practice and refine technique by attending class at least twice a week (I also practice in my living room) and I'm content to learn at least one tidbit of Karate philosophy from every class I attend. Tonight it was, our hands are our weapon, warriors historically spend countless hours sharpening, cleaning, fine tuning there weapons so we should do the same with our weapons. Learn to use them for there highest potential, exercise them, strengthen them, take care of them.

Jim Furgerson, Yon kyu (Green Belt)
I feel honored to be apart of the Shorin-Ryu Karate tradition. I feel honored to be a part of Cocoa Beach Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate dojo. The Shorin-Ryu style karate ( young forest/pine forest style) has a long tradition starting back in 1820, founded by Bushi Matsumara in Shuri, Okinawa. Master Ansei Ueshiro came to the United States bring his style of karate to America in 1962. Today there are over an hundred Shorin-Ryu schools in the United States. Our Shorin-Ryu dojo was founded by Grand Master Ueshiro and carried on by Hanshi Robert Scaglione, tenth degree black belt. It is a great honor for me to learn Shorin-Ryu from our fine staff of instructors. I enjoy the physical conditioning that comes from the great art of karate. Shorin-Ryu gives us much more that physical conditioning and self-defense techniques. Shorin-Ryu is a conditioning of the mind and spirit. Karate is what one put into it. I get back much more than I put into it.

Bill Davis, Go Kyu (2 Green Tips)
Karate has been an important part of my life even though I have only practiced it once 20 year ago and never received a color tip or ranking. You may ask why do I say this? The reason is that at the age of 19 I was just starting out in the world full of vinegar and piss. Ready to do great things. My short and powerful introduction to Shorin-Ryu Karate (Under Sensei Kabboord) influenced the way I walked through life and helped make me the man I am today. These initial lessons built a base on which I followed the philosophy of humility, respect for all, and on open attitude toward continued learning. The short intro so many years ago has helped me see and do many things in this world. I have a have a successful career and a wonderful family and I know I have many more thing to do, see and learn. This is why I have taken the time now, more than 20 years later, to continue studying the art of Karate.

Suzanne Dorman, Go Kyu (2 Green Tips)
My name is Suzanne Dorman and I am about to take the test for my second green tip. I now have a better understanding of what I am doing and I know that by showing up I continue to learn and better my skills. I have a high esteem for all the teachers I have that freely give me what was given to them. I hope to continue up the ranks and to grow spiritually and follow the masters before me.