Black Belt Promotions - Fall 2023

t l e B k c s a n l o B i t o 23 0 m 2 o 18, r r e P Novemb

E R I E , P E N N S Y LVA N I A

FALL 2023 CANDIDATES Mr. Zachary Breter 2nd Dan Candidate

Mr. Dan Iavarone 1st Dan Candidate

Mr. Ayden Miller 1st Dan Candidate

Mr. Andrew Plyler 1st Dan Candidate

SPECIAL GUESTS Mr. Don Martinez 7 th Dan, TKD

MRS. RENEE MARTINEZ 7 th Dan, TKD

Welcome Thank you so much for joining us tonight for this very special occasion. We welcome you as our honored guests and hope you enjoy the demonstrations and belt promotions.

In order to give 100% of our attention to our students who have worked so hard to accomplish this goal...we ask that you silence all cell phones and refrain from conversation during the program.

Please take as many pictures and videos as you would like…

IT’S ALL ABOUT THEM!

Belt Promotions Program WELCOM E O PENIN G PR AYER INTRO DUC TIO N O F THE BOARD TR ADITIO NAL BOWIN G TO THE FL AG S INTRO DUC TIO N O F THE B L AC K B ELT STUDENTS INTRO DUC TIO N O F THE C ANDIDATES B L AC K B ELT DEMO N STR ATIO N B L AC K B ELT P O OMS E B L AC K B ELT P O OMS E – 2 ND DAN C RE ATIVE B L AC K B ELT B RE AK IN G PRESENTATIO N O F THE B ELTS - NE W R ANKS C LOSIN G COM M ENTS C LOSIN G PR AYER

Mr. Zachary Breter Mr. Zachary Breter 2nd Dan Candidate 2nd Dan Candidate

Autobiography Autobiography

Hello, my name is Zach Breter andand I amI testing for my Hello, my name is Zach Breter am testing for my second-degree black belt.belt.

I’ve I’ve been training since 8th 8th grade. second-degree black been training since grade.

I earned my first-degree black beltbelt in 12th grade in 2021.

I earned my first-degree black in 12th grade in 2021.

I amI a graduate fromfrom the the Charter School of Excellence - am a graduate Charter School of Excellence Skills Center.

I amI also an Eagle Scout fromfrom Troop 9. I am Skills Center. am also an Eagle Scout Troop 9. I am currently training in Combat Hapkido andand I amI a purple belt.belt. currently training in Combat Hapkido am a purple As aAs SWAT team member, I also helphelp out out in the Special Forces a SWAT team member, I also in the Special Forces andand Champions classes.

Champions classes.

I amI employed at Penn State Behrend as aas technical foodfood am employed at Penn State Behrend a technical preparer at Bruno’s Café.

I would like like to thank my friends andand preparer at Bruno’s Café.

I would to thank my friends family at FMA for all support throughout the the years. family at FMA forthe all the support throughout years.

What I’ve learned What I’ve learned about being a blackbelt... about being a blackbelt...

What I have learned about being a black beltbelt is that it raises What I have learned about being a black is that it raises confidence.

The The wayway thatthat you you practice andand howhow you you helphelp andand confidence. practice treat others withwith respect shines through for everyone to see. treat others respect shines through for everyone to see.

I have learned howhow to be role model andand demonstrate I have learned toabe a role model demonstrate leadership andand thatthat you you have to be andand be abe good leadership have tohonest be honest a good leader or nobody will will trusttrust you.you.

Honesty is anisimportant quality leader or nobody Honesty an important quality for everyone to have, whether theythey are are in a in leadership position for everyone to have, whether a leadership position or not.

If you’ve hadhad a friend, you you wouldn’t want to hang out out or not.

If you’ve a friend, wouldn’t want to hang veryvery often if they were always lying andand the the same could be said often if they were always lying same could be said for afor leader.

A Black BeltBelt means thatthat you you have determination. a leader.

A Black means have determination.

Being calmcalm andand determined are are the the skills learned thatthat will will be be Being determined skills learned withwith you you forever along the the journey of life. forever along journey of life.

A Blackbelt alsoalso represents our our school, andand will will act act as aas a A Blackbelt represents school, rolerole model for other students in different classes.

Earning a a model for other students in different classes.

Earning black beltbelt should not not be the endend goalgoal after receiving youryour belt.belt. black should be the after receiving A Blackbelt should be open to learning newnew forms in the A Blackbelt should be open to learning forms in the younger classes andand to work hardhard andand have dedication to to younger classes to work have dedication learn new things.

To receive a 2 nd Degree Blackbelt makes learn new things. To receive a 2nd Degree Blackbelt makes me want to get stronger andand to work withwith other me want to get stronger to work other students in other classes. students in other classes.

Mr. Dan Iavarone 1st Dan Candidate

Autobiography

Let’s take a few moments today to explain a little about my background, who I am and how I got here.

I was born in the heart of Little Italy next to Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. My strong Italian and German heritage were ever present growing up with my grandparents being born in Europe. Living upstairs of my Italian grandparents, where their native language was predominately Spoken, allowed me to acquire a strong understanding of the language, customs and work ethic.

My dad and grandfathers had a passion for fixing things and my mom and grandmothers had a passion for cooking which strongly influenced my love of tools both on the workbench and in the kitchen. I attended St. Paul’s grade school, Cathedral Prep, graduated from the GE Machinist Apprentice Program and then attended Gannon University earning my degree while working full time.

I eventually retired after 42 years of service. Since retiring I have become a certified motorcycle safety instructor working part time. Currently I am living in Millcreek with my wife Debbie. I have two beautiful daughters and four grandchildren.

What I’ve learned about being a blackbelt...

Unbeknownst to me, my journey to become a blackbelt began on February 19, 2017 on a family trip with the grandchildren at the Convention Center. While walking among the exhibits I stopped at a booth with a lady from FMA named Mrs. Amy Jones.

I explained to her how my goal to become a blackbelt someday was fading quickly. The rest is history. Becoming a blackbelt for me took almost 71 years but I never gave up. My 6-year journey was complicated with Covid and frozen sprinkler heads but the blackbelt discipline instilled in me by FMA persevered. In addition to discipline, the growth in confidence both physically and mentally has been overwhelming. Being able to keep fit, expanding my memory capacity and increasing my concentration allowed me to grow rather than lose confidence as I aged. I was fortunate that day to run into Mrs. Jones so I could achieve my goal and live up to her expectations in the Martial Arts field.

Mr. Ayden Miller Mr. Ayden Miller 1st Dan Candidate 1st Dan Candidate

Autobiography Autobiography

My name is Ayden Miller.

I was bornborn February the the second, 2009, My name is Ayden Miller.

I was February second, 2009, andand I amI 14 old.old.

I have 1 brother named Elliot, my dad amyears 14 years I have 1 brother named Elliot, my dad Bradley, my mom Brittany, my aunt Lauren, andand my grandma Bradley, my mom Brittany, my aunt Lauren, my grandma Cindy.

I have livedlived withwith them the the majority of my although Cindy.

I have them majority of life, my life, although I cannot remember exactly what age.age.

I have livedlived in Erie, I cannot remember exactly what I have in Erie, Pennsylvania all my have never moved, although I have Pennsylvania all life my and life and have never moved, although I have moved houses a bit.

I have gone to Joanna Connel, Woodrow moved houses a bit.

I have gone to Joanna Connel, Woodrow Wilson, andand am now a freshman at Collegiate Academy.

Wilson, am now a freshman at Collegiate Academy.

I have done a few sports overover the the years like like floor hockey, I have done a few sports years floor hockey, soccer andand football.

My biggest hobbies are are drawing andand soccer football.

My biggest hobbies drawing gaming.

I mostly playplay WarWar Thunder on my but but alsoalso playplay gaming.

I mostly Thunder on Xbox my Xbox other games like like Modern Warfare, Minecraft, Ghost Recon, other games Modern Warfare, Minecraft, Ghost Recon, andand Battlefield.

I draw mostly WW2 andand WW1 machines andand Battlefield.

I draw mostly WW2 WW1 machines soldiers, mostly German ones. soldiers, mostly German ones.

I started training in Taekwondo around 20172017 when I was 6 or67.or 7.

I started training in Taekwondo around when I was I started in the Champions class andand have made my way intointo I started in the Champions class have made my way Black BeltBelt Zone.

I have trained in two weapons, the the Escrima Black Zone.

I have trained in two weapons, Escrima Sticks andand Nunchucks.

I have builtbuilt veryvery good relationships Sticks Nunchucks.

I have good relationships withwith my teachers and classmates.

Out of all, my favorite my teachers and classmates. Out of all, my favorite teacher is Mr. andand my friend MaxMax Benes. teacher is Rathburn Mr. Rathburn my friend Benes.

What I’ve learned What I’ve learned about being a blackbelt... about being a blackbelt...

have been doing Taekwondo at Foundation Martial ArtsArts for for I have been doing Taekwondo at Foundation Martial 5-6 5-6 years, and I now have the opportunity to become a Blackbelt. years, and I now have the opportunity to become a Blackbelt. have put put in hours upon hours of work, perfecting everything thatthat I have in hours upon hours of work, perfecting everything have done, andand have keptkept on pushing.

Now, all of is is I have done, have on pushing.

Now, allmy of work my work about to come to ato head, andand I willI will be rewarded a Blackbelt. about to come a head, be rewarded a Blackbelt.

But,But, becoming a Blackbelt, to me, isn’tisn’t just just a reward or another becoming a Blackbelt, to me, a reward or another thing to add to my It’s a new responsibility, thing to add to list my of listaccomplishments. of accomplishments.

It’s a new responsibility, ifestyle, andand eveneven becoming a new me. me.

I know thatthat becoming a a lifestyle, becoming a new I know becoming Blackbelt is a is big withwith a ton of sub-responsibilities Blackbelt a responsibility, big responsibility, a ton of sub-responsibilities along withwith it. I’m to become a Blackbelt, andand want to push along it. ecstatic I’m ecstatic to become a Blackbelt, want to push further withwith Confirmation for my andand perhaps further further Confirmation for 1st myDegree, 1st Degree, perhaps further thanthan that.

I amI ready to take on this newnew responsibility, andand am am that. am ready to take on this responsibility, ready for its along withwith it. it. ready forchallenges its challenges along

Mr. Mr. Andrew Andrew Plyler Plyler 1st 1st Dan Dan Candidate Candidate

Autobiography Autobiography

Hello, Hello, my name my name is Andrew is Andrew Plyler.

Plyler.

I amI am 13 years 14 years old and old and I amI a am a Freshman Freshman at Northwest at Northwest PA Collegiate PA Collegiate Academy.

Academy.

My family My family consists consists of my of mom, my mom, my dad, my dad, my sister, my sister, andand Ruby, Ruby, my dog. my dog.

My family My family goes goes camping camping every every yearyear andand I enjoy I enjoy it. When it. When I’m I’m not not doing doing taekwondo, taekwondo, I amI am riding riding my bike, my bike, helping helping neighbors neighbors out out withwith yardyard work, work, andand gaming gaming or doing or doing school school work. work.

When When I ride I ride my bike, my bike, I ride I ride withwith my cousin my cousin Ayden.

Ayden.

I help I help my neighbors my neighbors by possibly by possibly cutting cutting theirtheir grass grass or raking or raking theirtheir leaves leaves in the in the summer. summer.

In the In the winter winter I willI will shovel shovel theirtheir driveways driveways so they so they cancan get get theirtheir snow snow blowers blowers out out or the or the whole whole driveway driveway if they if they don’t don’t have have a snow a snow blower. blower.

When When I doI my do school my school work, work, I willI will normally normally study study for upcoming for upcoming tests tests or do or my do homework. my homework.

I was I was playing playing baseball baseball in 2017 in 2017 andand thenthen decided decided to try to try taekwondo. taekwondo.

I first I first started started taekwondo taekwondo in November in November of 2018. of 2018.

I have I have done done summer summer camp camp almost almost every every yearyear andand I have I have tried tried not not to miss to miss a lota of lotdays. of days.

I have I have done done sparring sparring andand I amI am a a Candidate Candidate belt.belt.

I have I have loved loved Foundation Foundation Martial Martial ArtsArts school school everever since since I joined.

I joined.

Everyone Everyone welcomed welcomed me and me and made made me feel me feel like like I fit Iin. fit in.

Mrs.Mrs. Jones Jones hashas always always been been there there andand when when youyou get get stuck stuck on on a form a form or stuck or stuck on aon kick, a kick, punch, punch, self-selfdefense, defense, theythey will will helphelp youyou work work through through it and it and findfind ways ways youyou cancan remember remember it. I love it. I love helping helping withwith the the littlelittle kidskids andand even even the the older older kids. kids.

OneOne of my of my favorite favorite parts parts about about my training my training hashas been been the the wayway theythey treat treat youyou when when youyou go there. go there.

What What I’ve I’ve learned learned about about being being a blackbelt... a blackbelt...

Becoming Becoming a Blackbelt a Blackbelt at Foundation at Foundation Martial Martial ArtsArts hashas been been my my main main priority priority for around for around 5 years.

5 years.

Getting Getting my Blackbelt my Blackbelt is something is something I’ve I’ve always always dreamed dreamed of. Iof. played I played baseball baseball for 3-5 for 3-5 years years before before joining joining Foundation Foundation Martial Martial ArtsArts andand thatthat waswas probably probably the the bestbest decision decision I have I have everever made. made.

I joined I joined FMAFMA in November in November 2018 2018 andand metmet newnew people people thatthat I built I built bonds bonds withwith andand would would carry carry overover the the nextnext fewfew years. years.

C ON C ON T INUED T INUED ... ...

C ON T INUED . . .

I obviously have to thank the people who helped me get to this point; Mr. Rathburn, Ms. Lily Jones, Mr. Judah Jones, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Belle Rathburn, Mr. Irwin, and my friend Ayden. I know there were some hard times with the karate school in past years, such as the water break and Covid. I am very glad that I have spent around 5 years growing up with these individuals.

These last 2 years I have noticed a drastic change in my behavior at home and in class at FMA. Becoming a Blackbelt to me is an opportunity that I have worked very hard for every week (and weekends) at FMA. When I was unable to be at the school, I made sure to at least practice something at home.

Becoming a Blackbelt isn’t something you tell everyone, it’s something you keep to yourself and you are proud of. I have put a lot of effort into my forms and one-steps and self-defenses to the point where I feel mentally prepared to blow out this Blackbelt test. I have had a lot of fun with FMA and FMA has made me become a better person just in general.

Sadly, all times come to an end and I’m going to be further pursuing my career in football as well as J.R.O.T.C. Becoming a Blackbelt and training over the years has taught me a lot of leadership skills, responsibilities, and respect. I will always visit and always cherish what I have learned and all of the people that have helped me on my way to the top.

Honored Board Members: Mr. Don Martinez, 7th Dan TKD Mrs. Renee Martinez, 7th Dan TKD

Board Members/ Blackbelt Support: Mr. Frank DiSalvo, 4th Dan TKD Mrs. Carrie Robinson, 4th Dan TKD Mr. Justin Handley, 4th Dan TKD Mr. Daniel Rathburn, 3rd Dan TKD Ms. Belle Jones, 3rd Dan TKD Mr. Walter Holtgrefe, 2nd Dan TKD

AA Note from Mrs. Jones Note from Mrs. Jones 3rd3rd Dan TKD Dan TKD Mrs. Amy Jones, Mrs. Amy Jones,

GodGod is AWESOME! I’ll never fullyfully understand howhow He orchestrates is AWESOME! I’ll never understand He orchestrates things, but but as I as reflect on the pastpast 26 years, I amI thankful today things, I reflect on the 26 years, am thankful today thatthat He gave me the opportunity to learn andand lovelove martial artsarts He gave me the opportunity to learn martial andand trusted me enough to run our our school.

Countless students andand trusted me enough to run school.

Countless students families have come andand gone through our our doors overover the the years. families have come gone through doors years.

Some have “stopped by” by” for afor while, some (like(like you)you) have stayed Some have “stopped a while, some have stayed andand completed the the journey to Blackbelt.

Through it all, completed journey to Blackbelt.

Through it God all, God remains faithful.

He has carried, sustained andand shown up at remains faithful.

He has carried, sustained shown up at every turnturn to work things out,out, eveneven most recently through a a every to work things most recently through school rebuild!

I don’t deserve his goodness, but but I amI so school rebuild!

I don’t deserve his goodness, amgrateful so grateful for it!

Although I fall short, my prayer is that I am able to represent for it! Although I fall short, my prayer is that I am able to represen HimHim in a in way thatthat reflects His unconditional lovelove andand unending a way reflects His unconditional unending faithfulness.

I hope thatthat has has been youryour experience at FMA. OneOne faithfulness.

I hope been experience at FMA. thing I know for sure, GodGod has has blessed my life through thing I know for sure, blessed my immensely life immensely through YOU. Each andand every Blackbelt, staff member, family andand parent YOU. Each every Blackbelt, staff member, family parent has has been a blessing in my I thank you you for being a part of of been a blessing in life my and life and I thank for being a part the the journey!

I hope you you will will ALWAYS feelfeel welcome andand at home journey!

I hope ALWAYS welcome at home when you you think of FMA. when think of FMA.

SPECIAL THANKS SPECIAL THANKS Thank you you to my husband whowho makes it allitwork….

Thank to loving my loving husband makes all work…. you you are are andand always will will be the greatest gift gift GodGod has has given me. me. always be the greatest given Thank you you to Team Jones, my loving children, whowho don’t always Thank to Team Jones, my loving children, don’t always get get to experience the the bestbest of this school or their mom – but to experience of this school or their mom – but choose to love bothboth unconditionally!

I amI so of you! choose to love unconditionally! amproud so proud of you!

To our Blackbelt Alumni … it … is it a is privilege to serve withwith you!you!

To our Blackbelt Alumni a privilege to serve Thanks to all parents whowho consistently support our our Thanks toof allthe of the parents consistently support school, eveneven through this this pastpast yearyear thatthat we have all just school, through we have all just survived!

I amI grateful for your trusttrust andand consider it a it privilege survived! am grateful for your consider a privilege to have the the opportunity to share my knowledge of the martial to have opportunity to share my knowledge of the martial artsarts withwith youryour child through our our program thatthat has has continued child through program continued to evolve overover these pastpast 21 years. to evolve these 21 years.

LUKE 6:47-48 NLT 47 I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT IT’S LIKE WHEN SOMEONE COMES TO ME, LISTENS TO MY TEACHING, AND THEN FOLLOWS IT. 48 IT IS LIKE A PERSON BUILDING A HOUSE WHO DIGS DEEP AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION ON SOLID ROCK. WHEN THE FLOODWATERS RISE AND BREAK AGAINST THAT HOUSE, IT STANDS FIRM BECAUSE IT IS WELL BUILT.