April - May 2008

We hope this newsletter finds you in great health and spirit. This newsletter is intended keep you informed about local, Regional and World Tang Soo Do events. Please take time to mark your calendars for the events you are able to attend. We have Regional schedules at the studio for your convenience

As you are all probably aware by now, Roseburg Martial Arts will host the upcoming Region Championship. This championship is for you, and it is right here in Roseburg. The Regional championship rotates locations each year so it will be another 3 to 4 years before we get it back here again. All ages and belt colors can participate in the event. The championship will take place at Umpqua Community College gym. We normally have around 250 contestants at each Regional Championship. This is where you will share your skills with other Tang Soo Do members from around our Region and will engage in a friendly competition. The Championship will include a Black Belt test on Friday May 23rd, tournament on Saturday May 24th and then a banquet and dance party after the Championship Saturday evening at the Roseburg Moose lodge. There will be divisions in Forms, Weapons, Sparring and Creativity. Yes, Little Dragon’s can compete at this event. Grandmaster Shin will be attending the championship, so you will want to be sure and meet him.

Some people think these events are for the elite or persons with exceptional skills. They may even think they should be a certain rank before they participate. This event is for all members, it is about building camaraderie among your Tang Soo Do family members from around the region and challenging yourself to be and perform your best. You can pick up a tournament packet and entry form at the DoJang. We need your participation to make this tournament a success!

We will be having the Regional Black Belt Exam at our studio Friday May 23rd from 5:00pm – 9:00pm. We will not have any regular scheduled classes that day. We will also be closed Monday May 26th, which is Memorial Day. Please see championship schedule for tournament details.

&We are asking for volunteers (students, parents, siblings, spouses) to help assist in scorekeeping, timekeeping and several other areas to make our Championship a success. If you are available to help out, please sign in on the volunteer list at the studio. Training will be provided for those persons who will be scorekeepers/timekeepers.

Neil Pecorilla is one of four Region 1 candidates for the 2008 Regional scholarship program. Mr. Pecorilla has been training at RMA for about 7 years. He was promoted to 1st degree Black Belt in October 2007 and assists teaching the children’s classes on Friday evenings. We consider Neil an outstanding student and an excellent candidate for the scholarship award. Each year Region 1 sends out applications to all Regional studios. Any student who has been training for a minimum of one year and is either a senior in high school or attending college for an advanced degree may apply for this award. Candidates are scored in several areas to determine award winners. We would like to wish Mr Pecorilla the best of luck!

We have five Black Belts that will be presented their Dan certificate at the Regional Championship during the opening ceremonies. Eddie Montgomery 3rd Dan, Mark Bradley 2nd Dan, Andy Mikita 2nd Dan, Neil Pecorilla 1st Dan, Ian Evans 1st Dan. A formal presentation will take place in the morning hours of the Championship. Grandmaster Shin will present these and possible others from around the region their Black Belt certificate. Congratulations to all of you!

Out with the Old, and in with the NEW.

"Concussion"… A familiar diagnosis or not? In the past 10 years, we have learned a lot more about this condition. First, it is one of the most common sports-related injuries, especially now since loss of consciousness (LOC) is no longer a prerequisite for the diagnosis. In fact, over 90% of sport-related concussions occur without LOC. Rather, the following symptoms may be seen initially after a direct blow or force to the head: confusion, “dazing”, personality change, slow to answer questions, feeling “foggy”, nausea, headache, balance problems, dizziness, blurry vision, feeling sluggish, and/or loss of memory for events just prior to or after the force to the head. Again, LOC is not a prerequisite for the diagnosis of concussion.

If you are involved in a sporting event (like our upcoming Regional Tournament) and someone is hit in the head, the following On-the-Ring questions can be asked to see if concussion might be present:
Orientation: 1) What stadium/gym is this? 2) What city is this? 3) Who is the opposing team (or, alternatively, who are some of the participating Do Jangs? 4) What month is it? 5) What day is it?
Amnesia: 1) Ask the person to repeat the following words back: girl, dog, green; 2) What happened before your event today? 3) What do you remember just before being hit? 4) What was the score prior to the hit? 5) Do you remember the hit?
Concentration: 1)Ask the person to repeat the days of the week backward, starting with today; 2) Repeat these numbers backward (63) (419)

Word list memory: Ask the athlete to repeat the 3 words from earlier (girl, dog, green). If a person cannot answer the above questions accurately, concussion may be present. It is then recommended that the person rest at the sidelines until they have no symptoms. A small scorecard with the above questions is available upon request from me. Good Luck, everyone, in the upcoming Tournament. Remember: Make sure your protective gear fits well and you wear it. Tang Soo!

See flyers at studio for times and more information. Exam Day is June 11th Please see schedule at DoJang for test times. Be sure to bring a friend and family members to watch the exam. Your friend or family member can enter a FREE drawing for Martial Arts lessons. White and Yellow Belt little dragons who are scheduled to test this cycle will test Thursday June 12th @ 4:00pm

July 11th and 12th this is the largest championship event in our association. The world championship is open to all members worldwide. It promises to be a most memorable experience. This year’s event takes place in Orlando, Florida. For those of you who would like to combine a vacation along with the championship, Orlando is the home of Disney world, Epcot and Universal studios. This can be a wonderful experience as you meet others from around the globe and share your skills together. You can pick up a championship application at the studio.

If you have something to share with this studio that you would like mentioned in our newsletter, please speak with the instructor. Any special awards to students, special activities, etc.

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