Shoka Magazine September 2024
A Family Educational Resource
Shotokan Karate Leadership School®
3082 Marlow Road B1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-575-1681 phone, 707-861-0092 text AskAboutKarate.com
September 1, 2024
Marty Callahan
8th Degree Black Belt
Here's a story about one of our young students, Samantha Pureco, who started training with us when she was 4 years old and a few months ago earned her 1st Degree Black Belt when she was 8 years old becoming the youngest student we've had to do it. The world needs young people like her. At 8 years old, she is now a hero in her own rite.
Samantha Pureco was on a family outing this summer and was giving her young cousin a piggyback ride on her back. They were laughing and playing and having a wonderful time. As she was running, Samantha's foot caught a crack in the sidewalk, and she fell face first. But instead of reaching out to break her own fall, she reached back and grabbed her young cousin's head to protect him. This caused her own face to crash hard onto the concrete. As soon as the family saw this, they rushed over, Samantha was already on her feet with blood running down her face and elbows. But instead of tending to her own injuries, Samantha asked, 'how's my cousin?' She didn't cry, she didn't complain, and she didn't say or do anything to bring attention to herself. Her only concern was for her young cousin who she had protected in the fall and who had escaped without a scratch. Samantha is a fine example of how Shotokan Karate Leadership School training can take students on a Hero's Journey and prepare them to make a contribution to the world.
September & October Calendar
·Monday, September 2nd Labor Day - Dojo is Closed
·Sat. September 7th Tyler Thygeson's Birthday Party at the Dojo
·Sat. September 28th Jayce Relota's Birthday Party at the Dojo
·Fri. & Sat. October 11th and 12th the Return of Sensei Kevin Warner
Yours truly,
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Marty Callahan, Chief Instructor
Welcome to our new and returning students: Alexander Grant, Arytza Gutierrez, Rowan Riley, Morgan Riley, Mateo Castro Rodriquez, Jasper Glenney, Tanya Harlin
- Benjamin Wright