[ Mar 2009 ] [ Apr 2009 ] [ Jun 2009 ] [ Jul 2009 ] [ Dec 2009 ] [ Feb 2010 ] [ Mar 2010 ] [ Apr 2010 ]

JUNE 2009

Karate News
by Wanda Alvarez

The Excel Martial Arts School families would like to congratulate the following students who tested for their black belts on May 29th: For Sho Dan George Andrews, John Calabrese, Jacqui Denski, Thomas Hopko, Austin Iris, Olivia Longo, Andrew Poinatale and Zachary Stafford. For E Dan Juliana Longo, Alexis Cordone and Amanda Cordone.

George Andrews is the son of George and Carol Andrews, and studies martial arts at D’Amato Excel Martial Arts here in Terryville. He has been doing Karate for 6 years. He began his love for martial arts in 1st grade and has been an avid student ever since.

He attends karate classes full-time and has excelled through the ranks. George has recently graded for the rank of Sho Dan Black Belt. For the last 3 years, he has competed through out New England on the IPPONE circuit with Team Excel. As a 6th grade student, George has excelled in school, where he has made high honors, is part of the Jazz band, Cross Country team and Track Team. Through Martial Arts, George has learned many skills that will allow him to become a well rounded individual. “As parents we appreciate all of the dedication and devotion that Master D’Amato has given to George and the many other students he instructs. We are proud of George’s accomplishments and wish him and his fellow students the best of luck in their future as a Sho Dan and E Dan Black belts.”

The new black belt students and all of the other Excel Martial Arts students will be competing in their home town on June 6 at Terryville High School. All of the students have been practicing very hard all month so that they can do their best at the competition where they will be up against other Martial Arts students from all over New England. The families of Excel wish them luck and hope to see some familiar faces in the stands cheering the kids on.

Jessie Rinaldi, a member of Team Excel, will be playing the National Anthem on her electric violin again at the tournament. Her performance last year was great and can be seen on www.YouTube.com/ excelma.

Jessie will also be playing June 5th, at 8:00 pm with her rock orchestra at the Plymouth Center School in a fundraiser benefiting Natures Classroom. “Break a leg Jessie.”