 Terry L. Owens SBN - 4th Dan (Instructor)
The AMK is pleased to announce that we have a new 4th Dan Black Belt to welcome into our AMK family. Terry L. Owens SBN was promoted from our 3rd Quarter Test Board on September 19, 2009. Terry SBN has now made the transition from advanced students to the title of Teacher. It is a major milestone to reach the level of 4th Dan. We look forward to more contributions from Terry SBN on the teaching and administrative areas from now on. Congratulations Terry SBN!
Nathan & Elmier Penid were promoted to 3rd Kub, Blue/Red belt. Bo Fu, who had the highest score on his notebook of 120%, received a double promotion to 5th Kub, Green/Blue. Jasmine Adair scored another 100% on her written test and was promoted to 6th Kub, Green belt. Jessica & Collin Lewandowski were promoted to 6th Kub, Green belt (probationary). Jelani Fulwilder and Kristen Gomez were promoted to 7th Kub, Yellow/Green belt. Marc Gutierrez was also a surprise and received a double promotion to 8th Kub, Yellow belt.
Before giving out our special awards, Master Amsell talked about each award. The Top Child, Junior, and Senior award are strictly based on score. The Most Dedicated award is given to someone who puts in a lot of time into the class (normally outside of class). The Leadership award is given to someone who shows a good example and helps lower ranks.
Top Child was Elmier Penid, Top Junior was Nathan Penid, Top Senior was Terry L. Owens SBN, Most Improved was Kristen Gomez, Most Dedicated was Marc Gutierrez, and Leadership was Jelani Fulwilder. As a special award, brand new student Aidan Buchanan was awarded a Taekwondo water bottle. Aidan, who has only had one class under his belt, came to testing and stayed the whole time even though he was sick and even missed school the day before testing. This was a prime example of a student showing indomitable spirit and supporting his fellow peers on test day. It was even more impressive because testing was only his second day of class and he didn't know any of the material covered.
Finally, I read an e-mail sent to us by Vaibhav Birda SBN on his thoughts on the class. The e-mail appropriately ended with a Happy Birthday wish to Terry SBN. His birthday was on this day. All students & instructors lined up to give Terry SBN his birthday "present." GM Kim was impressed with our relationship with the parents in our school. It was only appropriate that one parent, Maria Penid (who is also a friend of Lisa SBN), get a birthday throw as well since her birthday was the following day. She was thrown by her sons: Nathan & Elmier as well as Lisa SBN.
A great test board came to an end, but a lot of hard work is in store for all who were promoted to learn their new material. We started the new material on Saturday, but there is a lot more to come.-LSA
Video Clips (Click on photo to see clip)...
 Happy Birthday Terry SBN! (Riley SBN)  Elmier does Hapkido with Nathan
 Happy Birthday Mom! (Elmier)  Happy Birthday Maria! (Lisa SBN)
E-mails shared with the class in regards to our 3rd Quarter Testing...
 Dear AMK,
It has been awhile since our last meeting, and I can with great conviction, and daresay Presidential spirit, say that things have changed. Yes, it's been awhile since I've put on my belt and uniform, been awhile since I raced to get to class before the kiddies showed up, or at the very least raced to get to class before I had to do one hundred pushups. Yes, it's been awhile since I've been uke and been soundly thrown, done kicking and punching with precise form, done poomsae exercises to the point of sweat and exhaustion, and searched for a personal enlightenment. And it has most certainly been too long since I've heard enthusiasm and vigor to the extent of Marcus SBN. For many of you things are the same. Coming to class every week, standing in line, doing what the people in black belts tell you to do. For a long time I was too caught in the natural vicissitudes of our martial arts class to come to terms with a concept that eluded me for some time-the idea of family.
I did not really come to terms with this idea until recently. Of course there is family in purely biological terms-mother, father, siblings, individuals who we cherish above all. And then there is another family, a chosen family consisting of people whom you share unforgettable experiences with, share the laughs and tears, share the suffering, and share, above all, the knowledge. These are the people who have seen you grow, and you grow to love and admire them. As I started college this year, I was on my own for the first time. I was excited, but I also realized that I missed the people who I left behind. But the more I missed them the more I sought to remember the things they taught me and apply them to day to day experiences. Without my training, I would not have acquired the sense of discipline that is so necessary in life. There are so many doors open to me right now, and everyday presents a choice. I am not only glad but thankful that the marital arts have inculcated in me a good sense of judgment and self respect to choose the avenues that are good for me and my growth. Each of you has given me a special invaluable lesson that I wish to apply to my life. I still remember Riley SBN's advice in keeping in touch with the people you leave behind, and this is certainly something important given the transitions I have had to make. There are few things that can be compared to the marital arts in their ability to allow people to take control of their lives. In celebrating the great political and spiritual figure Mahatma Gandhi's birthday yesterday, I came across one of his quotes: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will."
I think this is what ultimately attracts people to the martial arts. Size bears little influence in determining who will win the fight, because more often than not, there is a greater fight going on inside people's heads. Martial arts seeks to constructively channel our thoughts and create this "indomitable will," which is interestingly enough one of the tenants of Taekwondo. I also think this is what brings people back to the martial arts once they have left, and more specifically, to our class. There is something to be said about coming back to the challenge of martial arts and seeking to go beyond just physical motions and coming to a greater intuitive understanding of our world. The paradigm with which we view the world is affected by the day to day happenings in class, and just like the idea of family, can be defined by the little things. People come back to class because it gives them the opportunity to retool and reshape this paradigm until it once again fits with their view of the world.
Entering college was, like, in a way, getting a black belt again. Although both are definitely significant milestones for a student, their importance lies not in understanding where the student is, but exactly how much farther he or she must go. Once again, martial arts teaches that each achievement is marked by another opportunity to learn even more.
I look forward to seeing all of you again soon and wish you the best of luck as you move forward. On a side note, I would like to wish Terry SBN a very Happy Birthday. Due to logistical difficulties in giving you my "present" I hope somebody else in the class can give it to you on my behalf.
Best wishes,  "VB"
 Hello Master Amsell and Lisa SBN,
Thank you for inviting me to yet another test. Each test seems to get more interesting.
I was pleased to see that Jasmine is evolving into a very dynamic martial artist. Also, I was surprised to see that Elmier managed to pass his brother in one of the disciplines (this is reflected by my scoring). Master Johnson showed great spirit and determination by not giving up when his board wouldn't break and keeping at it until he crushed his target, I think this attitude is the essence of martial arts. And of course, Terry is a well rounded martial artist (after all, he did graduate from USC ;D).
I was also amused by the breaking demos and noticed that the fire break and 0-inch punch were great crowd pleasers.
Regards,
Spyro
 Despite my best laid plans, I will not be able to come see the AMK 3rd quarter testing. I had hoped to be there, particularly to see Terry SBN's 4th Dan test and Master Johnson's 7th Dan test. This is a rare and significant event, and I very much regret not being able to attend.
At such high levels, these individuals may be measured by what they bring out in others as much as by their own accomplishments. In that light, please allow me to note:
Terry SBN has served as an instructor, a leader, a mentor, and a role model for many of us. His unwavering dedication in his own training provides both an inspiration and a challenge to others. At the same time, he always maintains his focus on helping others. He demonstrates a true martial artist's spirit - inside and outside of the dojang. On a personal note, I have been enriched by my association with Terry SBN, and continue to look to him as a guiding example. Master David Johnson similarly has been a steadfast role model. Throughout his work with the AMAC referee program, he has been a steadfast example of maintaining the highest standards. He has continually led by example. When meeting his students, it became immediately apparent that he instills in them the character and values that are the essence of true martial artists. Again, I have been enriched by my association with him.
As one of several who have benefited greatly from Terry SBN and Master Johnson, I wish them the very best on testing day - and on their many future accomplishments.
-- Rob Horton
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