On April 3, 2009, the R.T. Berry School of Tae Kwon Do held its 18^th Black Belt Testing.  Among those testing were Mrs. P. Best for 3^rd Degree Black; Mr Michael Gatlin and Mr. Jackson Hiltebrand for Junior Black Belts; and Mr. Sam Gatlin, Mr. Brett Burchett, Mr. Nathan Mercereau, and Mr. Mitchell Turk for Child level Black Belts.          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 to 5 years old 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 currently celebrating its 8 year Anniversary.  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.