On April 20, Shin's Tae Kwon Do in Hicksville hosted its Annual Black Belt Extravaganza in the McGuire Theater at SUNY Old Westbury College. A total of 22 black belts were honored in a Traditional Fire and Water Black Belt Ceremony and the parents and spouses of the new black belts were part of the ceremony as well. The extravaganza was a showcase for all the black belts to demonstrate their proficiency in various aspects of their training, along with over 150 other students of the school graduating to their next belt level from age four through 64. It was a sold out performance with over 550 spectators and students on hand to see the event.

All the students performed exciting demonstrations from traditional forms, self-defense for protection, amazing weapons performances to show coordination and balance, earth shattering breaking from our adult black belts showing power and focus and just some old-fashioned fun with the students and their families. "They worked so hard, it was great to see that pay off in a big way. They were all so good! I'm just so proud!" said one black belt mom.

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rose Walker was on hand to make a special presentation of Certificate of Merit and New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker also gave certificates to all the new black belts for their hard work and dedication to achieving their goal.

First Degree Black Belts were Kyle Bloch, Christian Cespedes, Sarah Cohen, Joe Costantino, Joe and Lisa Llinas, Chris Russomanno, Larry Schultz, Stephen Yannone, Diana and Justin Wilkonski, Taylor Lenze, Tom Perrone, Kelly Quackenbush, Donald Rubbo, Martin White and Benjamin Yoon. The 2nd Degree Black Belts were Adam Scheiner, Jack Daniels and Gary Kuehn while the 3rd Degree Black Belt was James Owens and the 5th Degree Black Belt (Master) was Michael Donohue.

Christopher Brough from Old Bridge, NJ, a member of Black Belt Schools International with over 1000 schools across the country and the UK, gave a special award to Shin's Tae Kwon Do senior instructor Michael Donohue. Due to Donohue's dedication, outstanding leadership to students and community service, the Hicksivlle school was recognized as one of the top 50 schools in the nation.

Other special guests in attendance included Master Michael Pam from Seldon, Master Chris Gates from Greenlawn, Shihan Eric "Nitro" Augste from Brooklyn and Master Michael Simmons from the Bronx, a representative of the World Haidong Gumdo Federation who gave a spectacular performance of their traditional art form to the delight of the packed audience of Korean Sword Demonstrations.

Prior to the Extravaganza, the candidates, ranging in ages from eight years old to adult, underwent an eight-week intensive training cycle where they were required to track and log acts of kindness, righting wrongs and mending relationships, list personal victories, empathy training and physical training, including 3,500 rep push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and running just to name a few, ending with a written exam and final test with Grandmaster Shin and the United Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do Association's Black Belt Review Board.

"I'm so proud of the progress my students have made," said Donohue, who is northeast director of Black Belt Schools International. "Regardless of what the future has in store for them, I know the martial arts have made a positive impact on their lives. On a subconscious level, it affects everything they do, from making the right choices in life to maintaining the focus to complete tasks successfully, diffusing conflict, and taking proper care of themselves by eating right and staying fit and healthy."

Said one proud dad, "It was an amazing night - from the opening demo to the World Champions performing, to the kids getting up to strut their stuff and the beautiful Black Belt Ceremony... I had never seen that before, it was so moving ... I don't know how they're going to top this next year! But I tell you, I won't miss it!"

To find out more about the upcoming Summer Karate and Sports Camp or evening classes offered at Hicksville's Shin's Tae Kwon Do call 932-5275 or visit www.shins-karate.com.