GSKS students earn awards, black belts
Gary Steele Karate Studio recently held its 2007 awards presentation, recognizing students of various age groups in several categories for their dedication to the martial arts.
The awards included four Student of the Year honors, based on different age classifications. The winners were: Cydnie West, Little Dragons; Mark Canterbury, Children; Katelyn Vickers, Junior; and Clifton Gooch, Adult.
Greg Roberts came away with this year’s Grand Champion award from the school, while Rayce Brewer earned the 2007 Respect award and Susan and David Reavis took home the Supportive Parents honor.
Other awards, doled out for mastery of specific elements of karate, included the flexibility award, which went to Briana Hillis. Forms awards were given to Hanna Reavis in the Children’s division and Clifton Gooch in the Adults.
Fighting awards went to McKenzie Vickers, Children, and Ken Vickers in the Adult class, while the Spirit awards in the Children and Adult groups went to Devin Godshall and Penny Wanamaker, respectively.
Samantha White earned the 2007 Kicking award, Drew Perrina brought home the Xtreme award, and the Dedication trophies went to Russell Prater in the Children group and C.J. Hunter in the Adult classification.
‘ In addition to the year-end awards, GSKS also gave out 16 new black belt promotions recently, recognizing students who had passed rigorous exams, including physical endurance and mental discipline tests and self-defense application to win their prestigious honors.
Thirteen-year-old Peyton Webb received special recognition, as he became the youngest student in the local school’s 35-year history to reach third-degree black belt.
Earning second-degree belts were Megan Tate, Hunter Coppinger, Adara Scott and Justice Woodside.
First-degree black belts went to: Josh Barnes, Mark Canterbury, Samantha White, Daren Oakley, Kaitlin Jarvis, McKenzie Vickers, Katelyn Vickers, Leslie Moulton, Davida Temple, Greg Roberts and Edward Lovely.
Gary Steele Karate Studio is located on the lower level of the Plaza Shopping Center. For more information on their programs, call 473-KICK (473-5425).