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June 2024 Karate Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our June 2024 karate promotions. Each one a super star. “CONGRATULATIONS“
The test was conducted by Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 2 other Black Belts on June 20th, 2024
May 2024 Karate Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our May 2024 karate promotions. Your performance was “OUTSTANDING “
The test was conducted by Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 2 other Black Belts on May 23rd, 2024
April 2024 Karate Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our April 2024 karate promotions. Your performance was “OUTSTANDING “
The test was conducted by Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 2 other Black Belts on April 25th, 2024
February 2024 Karate Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our February 2024 karate promotions. Your performance was “OUTSTANDING “
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 3 other Black Belts on February 26th, 2024
January 2024 Karate Belt Promotion
The first promotions for 2024. It will be super exciting and interesting to follow these future leaders throughout the year watching their progress and achievements. CONGRATULATIONS
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 2 other Black Belts on January 29th, 2024
October 2022 Inayan Sinawali and Dequerdas Promotion
10 Students from Elite Self Defense Centers were promoted to level 1 for Sinawali and Dequerdas. Congratulations to all who tested last night. Sharing your experience, the information, and lessons learned with your fellow students will help everyone. Thank you for all that you do for OUR school.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 2 other Black Belts on October 26th, 2022
Front row – Siena LoMastro, David Miller
September 2022 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Black Belt Promotions:
Emma Smith – 2nd Degree Black Belt
Seina Lomastro – 2nd Degree Black Belt
Ethan Thompson – 1st Degree Black Belt
Taylor Schmidtke – 2nd Degree Black Belt
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 7 other Black Belts on September 13th, 2022
August 2022 Karate Belt Promotion
Future Black Belts and Tomorrow’s Leaders.Everyone that tested last night performed exceptionally well and earned their promotion to the next higher belt. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 5 other Black Belts on August 25th, 2022
April 2022 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Black Belt PromotionsBrianna Smith – 1st Degree Black BeltJasmine Szweda – 1st Degree Black BeltPierre Heiner – 1st Degree Black BeltThe test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 4 other Black Belts on April 30th, 2022
April 2022 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Senior Black Belt PromotionsSteve Anderson – 5th Degree Master Black BeltTim Greenway – 5th Degree Master Black BeltBrandon Stebbins – 4th Degree Black BeltThe test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke on April 21st, 2022
August 2021 Karate Black Belt Promotion
More Black Belt success at the Elite Self Defense Centers. Promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt is Master Instructor Matt Schmidtke and promoted to 1st Degree is Kathi Schmidtke, Gigi Heiner, and Sophie Carlock. Congratulations to all the Black Belts but a very Special Congratulations goes out to our Master Matt on his well deserved promotion. He has been with us for over 25 years and was instrumental in helping a countless number of students learn the martial arts, reach their goals, and attain their Black Belts. Again a huge “Congratulations Master Matt Schmidtke”Master Matt Schmidtke 8th Degree Black BeltKathi Schmidtke 1st Degree Black Belt
Gigi Heiner 1st Degree Black BeltSophie Carlock 1st Degree Black BeltThe test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 8th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 4 other Black Belts on Aug 2nd, 2021.
July 2021 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our new 3rd Degree Black Belts. Their knowledge and performance was superb throughout the test. These two young ladies have developed into leaders and we are so excited to watch them continue to grow and can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in the future.Jayna Mendoza 3rd Degree Black Belt
Mackenzie Szweda 3rd Degree Black Belt
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 3 other Black Belts on Jul 17th, 2021.
Dec 2020 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Congratulations to our newest Black Belt Promotions.
Mike Alexander 2nd Degree Black Belt
Judah Suemnicht 1st Degree Black Belt
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke and a panel of 3 other Black Belts on Dec 6th, 2020.
May 2017 Karate Belt Promotion
Sixteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday May 25th, 2017. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
February 2017 Karate Belt Promotion
Fourteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday February 23rd, 2017. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
October 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Nineteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday October 20th, 2016. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
September 2016 Karate Black Belt Promotion
Eighteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their mental understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their physical skills against real and imaginary attackers on Saturday, September 10th, 2016 during a four hour test. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were capable and ready to be promoted to one of the highest levels in the martial arts, that of BLACK BELT. This is a very noteworthy accomplishment for these students because only the students who demonstrate their mental and physical strength to complete the martial arts program, an average of four years, and this test are able to graduate to the rank of Black Belt and higher. They successfully verbalized the meaning of those three rules and physically demonstrated their self defense punching, kicking, grappling, and weapons techniques in such a superb manner that they each earned their promotion.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez, 7th Degree Black Belt Master Instructor Matt Schmidtke, and a panel of 14 other Black Belts.
CONGRATULATIONS, BLACK BELTS!
August 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Nineteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday August 25th, 2016. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
May 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Twenty-three students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday May 26th, 2016. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
April 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Fifteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday April 21st, 2016. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
April 2016 Little Ninjas Promotion
Four “Little Ninjas” of the Elite Self Defense Centers were promoted on Thursday, April 21st, 2016. The Little Ninja program is a detailed curriculum that focuses on improving 4, 5, and 6 year old children’s basic motor and listening skills. They were tested on the eight major skills necessary for participation in any sport or activity; Focus, Teamwork, Control Balance, Memory, Discipline, Fitness, and Coordination. These skills will help them enter society with a more confident and enthusiastic outlook. They will become better students at school, better listeners at home and more ambitious towards the future. The time between the ages of 4 and 6 are the most important years of a child’s development. Each Little Ninja superbly demonstrated their physical and mental abilities learned in each of those skills.The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Black Belt Master Instructor Matt Schmidtke.
March 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Marwah Tamim of the Elite Self Defense Centers was honored with a promotion
to 5th Degree Black Belt Master on March 17th, 2016. This is a very noteworthy
accomplishment since she is now among the 5th highest ranking black belts
recognized in all martial arts disciplines, 10th degree being the highest. Master
Marwah Tamim’s diligent study of the martial arts and her superb teaching ability
enabled her to acquire all necessary physical skills and knowledge necessary
for this highly coveted martial arts rank. May she wear it with pride and
distinction. Congratulations Marwah!
February 2016 Karate Belt Promotion
Nineteen students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday February 25th, 2016. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
December 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
Seven students of the Elite Self Defense Centers demonstrated their understanding of Respect, Self Control, and Self Discipline as well as their ability to defend themselves against real and imaginary opponents on Thursday December 17th, 2015. They were being tested and evaluated to determine if they were qualified to be promoted to the next martial arts belt level. These future leaders performed in such a superb manner that each student was promoted.
The test was conducted by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Chief Instructor 7th Degree Master Black Belt Matt Schmidtke.
October 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
September 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
July 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
May 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
February 2015 Karate Belt Promotion
November 2014 Senior Black Belt Promotion
Master Black Belt Instructor Matthew Schmidtke of the Elite Self Defense Centers was honored with a promotion to 7th degree black belt on November 14th, 2014. This is a very noteworthy accomplishment since he is now among the four highest black belt ranks in all martial arts disciplines, 10th degree being the highest. In addition to this promotion he was also awarded Kadua Guro Instructor certification in the Inayan System of Eskrima. Master Schmidtke’s diligent study of the martial arts and his superb teaching ability enabled him to acquire all necessary physical skills and knowledge necessary for these highly coveted martial arts ranks. May he wear them with pride and distinction. The awards were presented by Grand Master Tom Lopez and Grand Master Jason Inay. Both 10th Degree Black Belts and inducted members in numerous Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Congratulations Matt!