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Summer is approaching which means it's family vacation time!
Going on vacation:
If a vacation is on your calendar, please let us know too! We may join you! Just kidding...but we will appreciate the attendance notice
BEFORE you leave.
Makeup Classes:
Feel free to make-up any missed classes before or after your vacation time (we ask that you do this within 2 weeks before/after).
Pausing your Program:
If you will be traveling for
AT LEAST 1 month or LONGER,
we can put your program on "hold."
Again, let us know at the Front Desk
PRIOR to your vacation dates!
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Recognizing our Black Belts
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CONGRATULATIONS
BLACK BELT CLASS 8!
We are proud to announce the promotion of these candidates this past weekend!
1st Degree:
Randy Antone
Anthony Caruso
Isabella Petteruti
Aiden Tripi
2nd Degree:
Sifu Francesca Apaya
3rd Degree + "Chief Instructor" Promotion:
Chief Leah Valencia
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Introducing Black Belt Class #9
These 11 Candidates have just began their training towards their black belts, and just completed their first Black Belt School session this last Saturday. We're looking forward to their test & promotion in October. Now, time to train!
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MAY Birthdays
To honor our celebrants, we offer 10% off all SMA Merchandise!
Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts
Srivishnu Addala, Luis Badial, Zion Balisalisa, Aarav Bhave, Leo Breslaw, Sophia Byrd, Kyle Chan, Ethan Chau, Darsh Gaba, Praveena Gollanapalli, Zhaohan Gong, Paul Haegele, Tristan Huang, Diya Jagadeesh, Kavya Jagadeesh, Abhiraam Jujjuru, Zach Klein, Joey Krill, Lucinda Mak, Anjolie Mak, Neel Mishra, Shriram Naidu, Akhila Palavai, Nadia Parampath, Nidhi Pendiyala, Aveah Peterson, Anika Rao, Prithvi Reddy, Shrihan Reddy, Alexander Ritchie, Sanjith Satish, Juhi Sharma, Jayden Sih, Charlie Springmeyer, Nile Williams
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THIS MONTH:
BBS #1 (Class 9)
Saturday, May 4
Honors Black Belt Promotion Ceremony
Saturday, May 4
Instructor Training
Saturday, May 11
3:15-5:00pm
Mom & Me Party
Saturday, May 11
4:00-5:30pm
Tournament Volunteer Meeting
Saturday, May 18
3:00-4:00pm
IN-HOUSE TOURNAMENT
SUNDAY, MAY 19
(no regular classes)
Makeup Stripe Workshops
Saturday, May 25
Beginners & Intermediates: 3:10-3:35pm
Advanced & Teens/Adults: 3:35-4:00pm
Sunday, May 26
Beginners & Intermediates: 1:15-1:40pm
Advanced & Teens/Adults: 1:40-2:05pm
Dojo Closed for Memorial Day
Monday, May 27
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PLANNING AHEAD:
JUNE DATES:
- June 1: BBS #2 (Class 9)
- June 1: Instructor Training
- June 3: Parents Train Free Month
- June 4: Morning Junior Cubs classes begin
- June 15: Dad & Me Party
- June 22: Parents Night Out
- June 29: BBS #3 (Class 9)
- June 29 & 30: Makeup Stripe Workshops
JULY DATES:
- July 4: Dojo Closed
- July 6: Instructor Training
- July 13: Women's Self-Defense Seminar
- July 20: BBS #4 (Class 9)
- July 20: Parents Night Out
- July 27 & 28: Makeup Stripe Workshops
- July 29: Review Month Begins
- July 29: Student Appreciation Week
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Sparring Class Dates:
(by invite only; Curriculum weeks 1 & 3)
- May 12
- May 26
- June 9
- June 23
- July 7
- July 21
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Demo Class Dates:
(by invite only; Curriculum weeks 2 & 4)
- *May 19 (for In-House Tournament)
- June 2
- June 16
- June 30
- July 14
- July 28
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Instructor Corner
By: Sifu Francesca Apaya
Hi everyone!
Can you believe it’s May already - where did the time fly by? I cannot help but feel particularly nostalgic this month, as not only am I closing out my black belt journey in pursuit of higher degree ranks but also I will be graduating high school at the end of the month!
I started coming to this dojo 8 ½ years ago, back when (for those who’ve known me long enough) I still wore my thick, black-rimmed glasses and badge-decorated, white gi. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the many years full of belt tests, In-House tournaments, and teaching classes. 9-year-old Francesca never would have foreseen that she would trade her charcoal pencils and paintbrushes for gloves and escrima sticks.
I’m blessed to have gone for my second-degree black belt as well, a goal I’ve had in mind for the past 4 years. Though I’ve had a difficult time balancing my own training with teaching, academics, and other extra-curriculars, I’ve done my best to remain focused on the path I have set myself on. Whether through staying up a little late each night to get my homework done, or rearranging my schedule to fit my weekly activities, I’ve remained determined to keep up and do my best in all aspects of my life, and to eventually achieve my personal goals.
One other such goal of mine is to one day pursue a career in the medical field. I recently committed to the University of California, Davis (Go Aggies!) as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. Science has always been my passion outside of martial arts, especially the complexities of the human body and the fragile interactions between organic molecules. I plan to hopefully become a pediatric oncologist, though I’m open to exploring other specialties.
**Full disclosure**, I’ll still be sticking around for a little bit, but here is me signing off on this newsletter now. Thank you for being a part of my journey, and being a part of a community that has molded me into the person you see today. Whether we have interacted on the mat, on the benches, or maybe at an event, thank you for watching me grow up.
Have a pleasant May, enjoy the warmer weather and all end-of-the-year school activities.
Best regards, and see you on the mat!
Sifu Francesca Apaya
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NEW Website Coming Soon...
We'll be launching our updated Empower Martial Arts website soon...stay tuned!
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See you on the mat!
Empower Martial Arts
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