Hello AWESOME Students and Families!

     On Sunday, I took the Black Belts out for a day out to Carowinds.  The biggest reward day ever, with 44 "AWESOME Master Berry Black Belts" we took off in four vans and headed down to Carowinds.  Spending the day with this group of kids, teens, and adults was an AMAZING experience.  This is a group of kids who have been training together for 3 to 7 years.  This is a group of kids who over that time and trained, hung out, and played together both in and out of our School. This is a group of kids, that ALL the Awesome Tae Kwon Do kids will be in if they just stay strong and focused on continuing their training because they (or their family) believe it is good for them as a person.  This is a group of kids who hold each other accountable for their actions with little adult guidance. (AMAZING GUYS!!!)   This is a group of kids who have stood by each other over the past years in times when School was great or school was hard; socially they were doing well or socially they were going through a rough time; through times of joy in training to times of "lulls" and needing a push.  Through this they have developed a 'bond' that you can't really put your finger on.  At the park, I was asked about 10 times by random adults who our groups were.  They wanted to know about these kids, because they could see a connection, a respect for others, a genuine politeness and of course a comradery.  They commented on there politeness, and how they followed directions.  My favorite was a gentleman who asked about the kids.  We spoke briefly, and as we said our good bye to continue on he said "enjoy your day with those kids...you've got something very special there."   I just smiled and said "thank you, sir." 

     I thought about that comment, along with all of the students there on Sunday.  All of the times when so easily any of them, or their families, could just throw their hand up and quit...and all the training hard, and working hard to work through those times.  YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT IF WE TRAIN THROUGH OUR ROUGH TIMES, NOT ONLY DO WE FIND THE JOY OF TRAINING TOGETHER AGAIN, BUT IT MAKES US STRONGER AS HUMAN BEINGS!!!!

     Thank you to all of you who were there Sunday, and all who couldn't make it.  I look forward to you helping to set an example so that all coming after you can one day enjoy the joy of being a part of that something special.  It certainly won't be an easy road, but together we will accomplish it.  Your dedication to me and the School is constantly humbling....thank you.

     I look forward to ALL OF OUR continued journey's together...

In admiration of the kids,

Master Berry