The R.T. Berry School of Tae Kwon Do recently held its 21st Black Belt Testing on March 05, 2010.  “This testing was a testament to our Students, as we had all different ages and levels testing,” said Berry, the School’s head instructor.  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 Adult 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, 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 or so.  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.              Among the students was one adult who earned her First Degree.  Miss Jessica Shannon, earned her Cho-Dan. Miss Shannon is eighteen-years-old and was born in Atlanta, GA.  Jessica's interests include singing, piano, wake boarding and horseback riding.  Children earning their respective ranks were:Earning his Junior Black Belt is Mr. Duncan Liseski, a 14-year-old freshman attending Mount Mourne IB Candidate School. When he is not training in Tae Kwon Do, he enjoys reading, designing and playing video games   Mr. Rodman Macasieb also earned his Junior Black Belt.  Mr. Rodman is 13-years-old and self educated. He was born in Charlotte, NC. He has been training Tae Kwon Do with Master Berry for three years.  "Tae Kwon Do helps me to achieve goals both inside and out-side of martial arts because of the discipline and work ethic that Master Berry has taught me,” Macasieb said. Mr. Cole Conner is a 5th Grade Honor roll student at Lakeshore Elementary and earned his Child Black Belt. He started training with Master Berry in August of 2004.  He is a Weblo 2 Boy Scout, loves reading, music and video games.  “Tae Kwon Do is awesome because of exercise, training, competition, sparring and weapons,” said Carter Shannon after earning his Child Black Belt.  Carter is a10-year-old enrolled in Shannon’s K12 home school.  Miss Caroline Spurrier is 9-years-old and has been training with Master Berry since June, 2003.  She earned her Go-Ma Black Belt on August 17th, 2007.  Her parents said they have seen a remarkable increase in her responsibility and self confidence since beginning Tae Kwon Do.Mr. AJ Ayris is an enthusiastic 9-year-old enrolled at Lake Norman Elementary School. “Throughout my journey with Tae Kwon Do, I have learned how to have a positive attitude,” Mr. Ayris said.  “It is not just about winning or losing.”AJ’s brother, Mr. Cade Ayris is a first grader at Lake Norman Elementary School.  “Training with Master Berry has helped me be stronger, said Mr. Cade Ayris.  “I have learned discipline and know how to be respectful to other people.”Mr. Adonis is eleven-years-old and has been training with Master Berry for three years.  He began training with just his two brothers and, in time, his three sisters and his mother also joined the school. Outside of martial arts, Adonis enjoys community theatre, soccer, break dancing, reading, building things out of anything (especially paper), writing jokes, and playing with his puppy, Natalia Petrovsky.   Mr. Xy Macasieb, eight-years-old, has been training Tae Kwon Do with Master Berry for three years and was recently awarded his Child Black Belt.  Outside of martial arts, Xy enjoys community theatre, basketball, baseball, break dancing, and his hamster, Foofi. Mr. Robbie Milsaps is 7-years-old and is in the 1st grade at Coddle Creek Elementary.  “Master Berry is an awesome instructor because he has pushed me to train hard and has helped me to become strong,” Mr. Milsaps said after earning his Child Black Belt. Mr. Zachariah Rumple was born in Saigon, Vietnam and is 10-years-old. He is in the 4th grade at Coddle Creek Elementary School.  Mr. Rumple earned his Child Black Belt after training under Master Berry since March, 2007.  “Tae Kwon Do is the most favorite thing I do,” Rumple said.   Mr. Jacob Sims has been training with Master Berry since April of 2006. He is seven-years old and a First Grader at Coddle Creek Elementary.  Mr. Jacob loves all sports, video games and to spend time with his brother.  To put I rather simply, Mr. Sims said “Master Berry’s training is awesome.”  .The R.T. Berry School is located in the back of Brawley Commons on the corner of Williamson Rd. and Brawley School Rd. You can read more about their Character Development programs at www.rtberry.com , or contact the School at 704-658-0544.