Black Belt Presentation Evening April 2009

At the Professional Unification of Martial Arts 20th Presentation Evening, the South Hams students and families were delighted with the results.

In between the Masters jokes, photos displayed meant to embarrass students and entertain the masses, caricaturist doing her rounds, displays by top students in various martial arts, a buffet meal and stories of some of our PUMA squad who went to Ghana to help teach, there were over 300 families and
their Tang So Do, Taekwon-do and Kickboxing students who applauded the successes of a recent Black Belt Grading and other achievements.

First off were the Umpire and Referees results, with South Hams Chief Instructor Lesley McGhie being the only one from PUMA to receive her Full Referees Certificate.

Daniel Henderson 1st Degree, -Totnes Taekwon-do, received his Assistant Instructors Certificate, making Dan the youngest ever Assistant Instructor In the South Hams. "Because of his attention to detail, and his willing to
keep perfecting, within his own training will, make him an excellent and successful instructor" says proud Instructor Lesley.

Tamzin Dawkins the South Brent Assistant Instructor and Totnes student, qualified as Full Instructor, and would have received her Certificate by the Chairperson of PUMA, but sadly she was taken ill on the evening. The certificate will now be presented to her at her own class on her return. This now means that the Chief Instructor will be handing over the reins to Miss Dawkins, who will be taking over the full running of the South Brent Taekwon-do and Little PUMA School, and becoming the not only Instructor for South Brent but the registered school owner.

A Distinction was then presented in the form of an Instructors Certificate to Mrs Sophie Barnett of the Kingsbridge School. "Sophie is presently the Kingsbridge Little PUMA Instructor, and a jolly good one too, but with an outstanding Distinction Pass such as she received means that we will be looking at ways to get Mrs Barnett more involved in teaching others within the Taekwon-do Schools, so watch this space" says Ms McGhie.

The Black Belt Grading results were then issued, with new Black Belts receiving not only their individually embroidered black belt, but Certificate, Black Belt Tie, Pin Badge and Blazer Badge. After shaking hands
with the top masters in PUMA, they then shook hands with the rest of the grading panel, and lined up for their official photographs.

Xavier Taylor of Kingsbridge juniors was the first of the South Hams students to venture on to the stage for their black belt, being slightly embarrassed by the 4 yr old picture taken in class over 7 years ago, displayed to everyone in the presentation hall. Instructor Lesley remarks"Although the photo caused a few smiles, it was meant as a reminder to everyone about the dedication of such young students and their families over
a long period of time. It makes Xaviers Black Belt achievement all the greater for his length of perseverance and hard work in his training all this time"

Also from Kingsbridge Taekwon-do, James and Leila Peck received their 1st Degree Black Belts, but in true twin style, both received theirs with a Credit pass. They were amongst the top few of the evening to be awarded such a high standard of pass.

After a very long evening, 17 year old Martin Luker of the Totnes School, with a huge applause and the firing of many poppers, was awarded his 3rd degree black belt with the highest award of Distinction. "Another student
who i have known and taught since he was about 5 years old, and almost 13 years later he has made us all very proud to be South Hams highest ranking black belt with the highest of standards." LEsley noted. "He has caught up with his father and 18 year old brother, who also received their 3rd Degrees over the last year. It is great to see, that those that you teach as young boys still have the determination and guts to still be achievers as they mature into young adults.The Lukers are a much loved and valued family in our schools"

Chief Instructor, Lesley McGhie was one of the final 3 members of PUMA on the night, all ladies, to receive their newest black belts all gaining 4th Degrees. "It makes me feel very privileged to know that we are only 3 of a
handful of women that are 4th Degree or above in PUMA. And without my students, i would not have been able to reach this goal" Thanked Lesley

The final part of the evening gave way to the top awards given by PUMA, with Leila Peck and Lesley McGhie being just some of the students nominated for their inspirational essays. A requirement for all PUMA's Black Belt Gradings. The title of the essay this year was "If there was one thing that you could teach...."
Lesley wrote about the great effects of positive thinking as inspired by her 7 yr old son, Ross and Leila wrote "a simply written but very moving essay on being grateful" said a very appreciative Master Gayle, Chairperson to
PUMA. Leila was then called upon to the stage as one of two winners of the best Junior Essay.

The top Spirit Award was then presented to Michelle Harris who earlier received her 1st Degree Black Belt with a Distinction Pass. Michelle used to be assistant to Lesley at the totnes junior class, before taking a break
from taekwon-do and returning in the last couple of years to the Torquay School. "Although Michelle is no longer a Totnes student, we feel that she is still part of our South Hams family, and we are all very proud of her
achievements." Lesley states "I personally owe her a whole lot of thanks, as only 2 days before the grading i fell really ill whilst in a hotel by myself, in preparation for my grading, and Michelle came to the rescue by
taking time out to shop for medicines and providing me with appropriate foods and drinks to get me through the weekend and the grading. Without her i may not have recovered well enough to even have taken my 4th Degree grading at this time"

To end this great evening on a high, one of the final Grading Awards was then given to Martin Luker as top graded junior in PUMA for 2009.

Results summary-
Lesley McGhie, 4th Degree South Hams TKD & KB - Referee
Daniel Henderson, 1st Degree Totnes TKD - Assistant Instructor
Michell Harris, 1st Degree Torquay TKD - Assistant Instructor - DISTINCTION
Tamzin Dawkins, 1st Degree Totnes TKD - Full Instructor
Sophie Barnett, 1st Degree Kingsbridge TKD - Full Instructors - DISTINCTION

Xavier Taylor, Kingsbridge TKD - 1st Degree Black Belt
James Peck, Kingsbridge TKD - 1st Degree Black Belt - CREDIT
Leila Peck, Kingsbridge TKD - 1st Degree Black Belt - CREDIT & Best Junior Essay Award
Michelle Harris, Torquay TKD - 1st Degree Black Belt - CREDIT & Best Spirit Award
Martin Luker, Totnes TKD - 3rd Degree Black Belt - DISTINCTION & Top Grading Award
Lesley McGhie, South Hams TKD - 4th Degree Black Belt