December 2011

In This Issue

Not Just For Parents

Violence Prevention

Upcoming Events

Member News

Community Outreach

Not Just For Parents

The Road to Jr. Black Belt: One Family's Journey

Photo: LilitBy Robin Mordfin
Mother of Junior Shodan Lilit Matar

When I first brought my daughter to Thousand Waves to begin taking classes, having her become a black belt was the furthest thing from my mind. My daughter began in the Little Kicks class, which only occasionally was visited by a Junior Shodan. But when it was, that black belt was considered really cool – by the small orange and white belts and by their parents as well. These teens and preteens all seemed so wise and educated and mature. Simply beyond the space my child inhabited.

Read more about Lilit and her parents' journey here.

Violence Prevention

Taking Ownership: Self-Defense at Perspectives Leadership Academy

By Anne Warshaw
Perspectives Leadership Academy, Instructor

Photo: Perspectives Leadership"If it was a white person it would have been all over the news!" shouted a student towards Alderman Latasha Thomas's chief of staff. The anger and passion in the student's statement was warranted considering a fellow classmate had recently been abducted and sexually assaulted at gun point inside a van a few feet from our far South Side, Auburn-Gresham neighborhood school. The incident took place at 7:45 am, a high traffic time for students walking to school.

Read more about TW's response to this incident.

Fall 2011 TW Peacemaker Awards

By Kyoshi Sarah Ludden
Co-Executive Director

What do a philosophy professor from Canada, a twelve year old boy at a birthday party, a ten year old in the school playground, and a mother walking down a street in Chicago with her 6 year old daughter have in common? They are courageous, inspiring violence interrupters and also the fall 2011 recipients of the Thousand Waves Peacemaker Award.

We are honored to share the inspiring stories of James Tully, TJ Nakano, Wamaid Mestey-Borges and Jack Savoie with Kiai! readers.

Upcoming Events

December

January

February

Member News

Returning to the Source: TW Members' Impressions of Honbu

By Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Executive Director

Our Thousand Waves dojo is the Chicago branch of a large international network of schools that are all affiliated with the World Seido Karate Organization.  Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura and Nidaime Akira Nakamura, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of WSKO teach at Honbu, Seido’s headquarters, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City.  I lived in New York and studied at Honbu from 1979 to through 1983, before moving to Chicago to open my own dojo. Since then, I have made the journey to New York two to three times each year to train with my teacher and connect with my extended Seido family.

Photo: Honbu Photo: Kaicho

Thousand Waves members, including adults and children of all ages, are welcome and encouraged to visit Honbu – for special events such as our annual anniversary benefit tournament, black belt clinic and summer camp, as well as to take regular classes. Over the years, hundreds of Thousand Waves members have made the trip. Many consider it a pilgrimage of sorts, to meet Seido’s top leaders, connect with brother and sister students from New York and around the world, and to train and sweat on the same floor that has produced so many legendary martial artists.

I recently asked a variety of students who have visited Honbu to share their impressions with Kiai! readers in hopes their words will inspire more TW members to seek out this very special experience for themselves.

Congratulations to our Fall 2011 Promotees!

Pearls from Promotion Essays of our Newest Black Belts

“…running ceased to be its own reward, but instead, became just another way of living for the next thing.  Each run was all about preparing for the ultimate goal.”
– Senpai Ron May

“Sparring is always a mirror and an opportunity to confront myself.”
– Senpai Kim Rodriguez

“Adults say this all the time, and it is true; so many kids of my age are trying to find who they really are and what they are all about.  Kids in high school are all unique, and are all going through different struggles.  I have learned to respect these struggles…”
– Senpai Julian Ahsan

“An activity is something you go and do for a couple hours, then leave and do something else.  Karate is with me all the time.”
– Senpai Saul Friedman

“Growing up around all of the amazing, empowered women who have trained at Sun Dragon over the years has given me confidence in myself as a young woman.”
– Senpai Leila Willis Newton

“When you become a member of Thousand Waves, you become a member of a family.  My new family gave me a backbone to be strong spiritually.”
– Senpai Madeline Pesch

“When I came back to training [at Thousand Waves] this last time, I came in with a better attitude than I had before…It was familiar, and even though challenging, was still within my comfort zone.  I was reconnecting with people I had not seen in a while, and was starting to lose that ‘outsideness’ that I felt before.”
– Senpai Hope Robinson

Recent Rank Promotions

Photo:Adult Black BeltsAdult Black Belt
Hope Robinson
Julian Ehsan
Kim Rodriguez
Leila Willis Newton (Austin dojo)
Maddie Pesch
Ron May
Saul Friedman

Jr. Black Belt
Alenna Abbatemarco
Charlie Swan
Jacob Baumstark
Lilit Matar
Photo: Junior Black BeltsMax McCoy
Mattie Greenblatt
Parker Ljung

Juniors
Alex Boyle – 6th Kyu
Alteja Aniulyte – 7th Kyu
Anan Bauman – 7th Kyu
Armand Raichandani – 6th Kyu
Bryce Bargowski – 6th Kyu
Caroline Rosen – 6th Kyu
Clayton Baime – 6th Kyu
Cole Harris – 8th Kyu
Daisy Coleman – 6th Kyu
Danny Horowitz – 5th Kyu
Ella Majeski – 8th Kyu
Elyse Fernando – 6th Kyu
Ethan Balakumar – 6th Kyu
Photo: Junior Black BeltsGabby Kramerich – 6th Kyu
Grace Monago – 6th Kyu
Jack Mulvaney – 6th Kyu
Jake Phillips – 7th Kyu
Joey Caruso – 8th Kyu
Josie Martorana – 6th Kyu
Justin Heather – 8th Kyu
Kumiko Muro – 8th Kyu
Leo Daly – 4th Kyu
Lily Baumstark – 8th Kyu
Lukas Maksin – 8th Kyu
Marcus McDermott – 4th Kyu
Michael Goodall – 8th Kyu
Myles Church – 7th Kyu
Nadia Becker – 8th Kyu
Nathan Wilson – 8th Kyu
Nina Sharda – 8th Kyu
Photo: Junior Color BeltsNoam Levinsky – 7th Kyu
Oliver Vigerust – 6th Kyu
Owen Balakumar – 6th Kyu
Piper Evans – 6th Kyu
Reese Hoffman – 7th Kyu
Sevilla Cartagena – 7th Kyu
Shadein Rahman – 8th Kyu
Sophie Dekoven – 7th Kyu
Stella Israelite – 8th Kyu
Stuart Nicholas – 6th Kyu
Thomas Hollowed – 6th Kyu
Victor Dorojan – 7th Kyu
Yonatan Norber – 4th Kyu
Zak Shearn – 6th Kyu
Zavier Ramirez – 7th Kyu

Youth
Aaron Alberg – 3rd Kyu
Aaron Shafer – 4th Kyu
Aidan Black – 4th Kyu
Aidan Hartman – 6th Kyu
Aiden Grant – 3rd Kyu
Ainslie Evans – 5th Kyu
Ana Gore – 1st Kyu
Angel Machuca – 3rd Kyu
Anjali Chandel – 8th Kyu
Anna Byrne – 5th Kyu
Aqil Young – 4th Kyu
Aras Aniulis – 7th Kyu
Ava Swan – 1st Kyu
Ben Hartman – 5th Kyu
Ben Rachlis – 1st Kyu
Brody Schwartz – 5th Kyu
Bryce Wolf – 3rd Kyu
Photo: Youth & Teen Color BeltsCassidy Skafish – 7th Kyu
Charles Laszuk – 3rd Kyu
Charlie Mazzeo – 3rd Kyu
Clara Laden-Guindon – 1st Kyu
Daniel De Jesus – 8th Kyu – ASK
Declan Toomey – 8th Kyu
Elizabeth Collins-Ward – 3rd Kyu
Emerson Toomey – 7th Kyu
Emily Crowley – 8th Kyu
Evan Burleigh – 1st Kyu
Everton Levy – 4th Kyu
Gabrielle Wolf – 3rd Kyu
George Day – 3rd Kyu
Grant Antink – 6th Kyu
Isaac Collins-Ward – 3rd Kyu
Isaiah Meadows – 3rd Kyu
Jack Cummins – 8th Kyu
Jake Caruso – 4th Kyu
Jason Dulberg – 1st Kyu
Jaxon Cooper – 7th Kyu
Joe Friedman – 1st Kyu
Johnny Hollowed – 2nd Kyu
Josh Palles – 3rd Kyu
Joshua Baumstark – 3rd Kyu
Julian Meadows – 3rd Kyu
Kamille Hamilton – 5th Kyu
Keaton Schwartz – 5th Kyu
Kit Matthews – 8th Kyu
Larke Johnson – 9th Kyu – ASK
Lazar Sestovic – 2nd Kyu
Malia Washington – 2nd Kyu
Michael Nelson – 8th Kyu – ASK
Nicole Davis – 8th Kyu
Nora Begy – 4th Kyu
Payton Shearn – 4th Kyu
Peter Whitfield – 6th Kyu
Sara McCoy – 4th Kyu
Shael Murthy – 7th Kyu
Sophie Ishiwari – 2nd Kyu
Takato Muro – 8th Kyu
Tommy Scholle – 6th Kyu

Teens
Alex Garcia – 6th Kyu – ASK
Anja Savic – 7th Kyu
Destiny Wilson – 8th Kyu
Frankie Trakos – 8th Kyu – ASK
Hannah Rachlis – 1st Kyu
Larissa Cerda – 6th Kyu
Liam Darrah – 3rd Kyu
Maggie Scholle – 6th Kyu
Otto Steinbrecher – 6th Kyu
Simon Matthews – 8th Kyu
Tommy Jankowski – 7th Kyu – ASK

Photo: Adult Color BeltsAdults
Amy Richmond – 6th Kyu
Arturo Jauregui – 3rd Kyu
Autumn Fox – 6th Kyu
Barry Moltz – 1st Kyu
Cara Rayn – 8th Kyu
Christian Hernandez – 8th Kyu
Dan Keats – 6th Kyu
Danielle Wash – 3rd Kyu
Daphne Scott – 7th Kyu
Debra Swan – 4th Kyu
Ellen Gibbon – 5th Kyu
Erin Epperson – 5th Kyu
Faith Crosby – 8th Kyu
Fay Cheng – 5th Kyu
Halle Gold – 4th Kyu
Henziel Jusino – 7th Kyu
Photo: Adult Color BeltsJason Carley – 7th Kyu
Joe Longhini – 6th Kyu – ASK
John Cusick – 5th Kyu
John Guillory – 8th Kyu
John Pappas – 4th Kyu
June Kirk – 6th Kyu
Kalina Fleming-Lopez – 2nd Kyu
Leigh Hackbert – 7th Kyu
Luis Rodriguez-Ortiz – 6th Kyu
Marisela Melendez – 6th Kyu – ASK
Matt Trigo – 5th Kyu – ASK
Meg Evans – 5th Kyu
Michele Curley – 3rd Kyu
Nicole Justian – 8th Kyu
Nikki Green – 4th Kyu
Rebecca Epstein – 2nd Kyu
Sunghun Cho – 7th Kyu
Tabitha Balakumar – 6th Kyu
Tommy Jankowski – 7th Kyu
Yun Jin Cho – 8th Kyu

Community Outreach

Board Breaking News

November is election month for Thousand Waves’ board of directors!  This fall we elected two new members to three-year terms – Deirdra Baumstark and Ellen Gibbon.  Thanks to both for stepping into this vital volunteer role!

Photo: Dierdra BaumstarkDeirdra’s son Jacob began training at Thousand Waves in February 2006, her son Joshua in June 2008, and her daughter Lily in June 2011. An avid volunteer at Thousand Waves and at her children’s schools, Deirdra is one of the founding members of our Parent Advisory Council. She brings to the board experience in event planning, project coordination and advanced research skills. She has a strong commitment to Thousand Waves’ philosophy and is excited about working to encourage increased parental involvement at Thousand Waves. Deirdra holds a MA in US History and a BA in political science.

Photo: Ellen GibbonEllen was introduced to Thousand Waves as a donor to the 2010 Spirit Challenge, which led her to become a full-fledged karate member mere weeks later.  She brings to the board her experience in non-profit arts management, stage management, and fundraising. In addition to training and volunteering at Thousand Waves, Ellen is the Development Associate at the Merit School of Music.

Welcoming new board members means saying goodbye to others; this year it’s Pat Broughton and Jean Petersen.

Pat Broughton, long-time board member and two term chair, will continue to help our community by spearheading a new Development Committee and establishing a major donor campaign in the coming year.

Jean Petersen, who has long served as Volunteer Coordinator, will remain active in recruiting volunteers for Thousand Waves events and activities. We use over 1,200 volunteer hours in any given year, so this is no small task.

A warm thank you to Pat and Jean for years of dedicated service.  We are deeply appreciative of your work and so pleased you both will be continuing your efforts on behalf of Thousand Waves.

As we hope you know, we also elected a new board chair, Annie Gregory.  Annie was honored to join the board in November 2009 and sees her involvement as a way to give something back for the many benefits she has received through her karate training.  She also works as a regulatory attorney for AT&T.

Holiday Shopping that Benefits TW

Whether you shop online year round or make a bunch of holiday purchases online, consider shopping at GoodShop. GoodShop is a portal to hundreds of popular retailors like Best Buy, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Macy's. A percent of purchases will come back to Thousand Waves when you select us as a beneficiary.

ASK Program Receives Grants

Thousand Waves is pleased to announce that our Adapted Seido Karate Program has recently received two grants. One is a $5,000 renewed grant from The REAM Foundation. An important facet of the Foundation's mission is helping children with disabilities reach their full potential, with an emphasis on preventing abuse. Our second grant is $1,500 from CVS Caremark. ASK is closely aligned with the company's signature philanthropic program "All Kids Can," which is focused on supporting children with disabilities. Both of these grants will enable our ASK Program to continue to serve youth with disabilities as they build physical fitness, set verbal boundaries, de-escalate situations of conflict, develop self-worth, make healthy choices, and connect with adult and peer allies – all tools which decrease their risk of being victimized by abuse or assault. The Thousand Waves community warmly thanks The REAM Foundation and CVS Caremark for their support.

Logo: The REAM Foundation   Logo: CVS Caremark

 

Spotlight on New Community Partners

Community Partners are local businesses that share Thousand Waves’ commitment to creating a more peaceful and healthy world. In exchange for their financial support, Community Partners gain exposure among Thousand Waves’ large community of supporters. Thousand Waves is pleased to welcome its latest Community Partners. Readers, please support them when you’re in the market for services they provide.

Logo: Investing In CommunitiesInvesting in Communities (IIC) funds nonprofits with proceeds from real estate transactions. Are you a real estate broker? Register with them.  Are you buying or selling property? Choose a broker that is registered with IIC.

Michael Pink
312-955-4900 ext. 11
www.iiconline.org

Logo: Map Real EstateMap Real Estate is a unique real estate firm that exclusively represents office tenants throughout Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Sharon Porter
312-527-3030 ext. 12
www.maprealestate.com

Logo: 97.1 The Drive97.1 The Drive is Chicago’s classic rock radio station. Listen to Thousand Waves’ own Bobby Skafish on weekdays from 3 - 8pm on the airwaves or streaming online.

WDRV FM – The Drive – 97.1
312-274-9710
312.591.9378 - request line
www.wdrv.com

Logo: Progressive Chiropractic Wellness CenterDr. Bruene is a Chiropractic Physician, Acupuncturist and a Certified Personal Trainer specializing in martial artists.

Dr. Adam Bruene
Progressive Chiropractic Wellness Center
2835 N. Sheffield Ave, Suite 411
773.525.9355
drb@progressivechiropractic.com
www.progressivechiropractic.com

Logo: Morgan Stanley Smith BarneyGil Matar, of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney can help you and your family with personal financial planning and investing.

Gil Matar
(773) 477-8796
gil@gilmatar.com
www.fa.smithbarney.com/matar/