Lake Norman Times 

Lake Norman Area Students earn Black Belt

On November 14th, the R.T. Berry School held its 17th Black Belt Testing since its establishment in Mooresville in 2001.  Master Berry and the R.T. Berry School have gained a reputation in Character Development for kids through Martial Arts training.  “Martial Arts inherently has the potential to benefit the student in other areas of their life, at our School, we have taken those aspects of Martial training to a whole new level.”  Master Berry said. 

The Students celebrating their testing were Mr. Phil Pouliot earning a second degree Black Belt.  “I have never seen a group of people so loyal and accountable to each other as the students at the school. As that family grows, it is a testament to Master Berry's principles and philosophies in which there is no deviation to the character development we all enjoy,” Pouliot said of his training and involvement in the School. 

Mr. Aaron Peltoniemi, student at UNCC earned his first degree black belt that evening as well.   

The others testing included:

Miss Aly Thompson, an 8th grader at Brawley Middle; Miss Emily Kubera, a 7th grader at Brawley Middle;  Mr. Austen Bauer, a 6th grader at Lakeshore Middle;  Mr. Nathaniel Turk, a 5th grader at Pine Lake Prep;  Mr. Harrison and Mr. Hayden Carlson, both of Mooresville; Mr. Cole Todd, a 4th grader at Lakeshore;  Mr. Ian Souter, a 2nd grader at Park View Elementary; and Mr. Brian Anzilotti, a 2nd grader at Woodland Heights Elementary.

At the R.T. Berry School, students under a certain age earn different levels of Black Belt.  Go Ma, or Child Black Belt is reserved for students under 13.  So Yun, or Junior Black Belt is for students between 13 and 17 years.  And Degrees are reserved for Students ages 17 and up.  "This allows the students at an early age to continue to progress through their goals and hold the standards of the Martial Arts high.  Our students here are progressing through at the rate that they achieve.  Nothing here is given, but rather everything earned.  Most kids that begin training here at the age of 24 months would come out as an Adult 2nd degree Black Belt when they were 18.  This is as it should be, otherwise you would have a 19 year old "master".  Our School's focus is not on belts, but on development.  We have created a community through the families that creates an environment for our Students to excel not just in the Arts, but life!  That is what is most important to me."  Berry said. 

The R.T. Berry School is celebrating its first year in its new home behind Brawley Commons shopping center.  The School has development programs from 24 months and up, with the full Character Development Program beginning at the age of 4.  For more information, you can visit them on the web at www.rtberry.com or call anytime at 704-658-0544.