If you drive north on South Street, you can't help but notice the OBEN PAL sign on the left side of the street by the police booth. The sign expresses congratulations to the OBEN PAL Karate Program's newest black belts: Sara Kenn, Marissa, Kenn, and Richard Treacy. The three students were promoted to the rank of black belt on June 13 after meeting rigorous testing criteria. Head instructor Sifu Andrew Hall stated that Sara, Marissa and Richard have been undergoing very vigorous training over the past three months in order to prepare for this test. With the valuable assistance of Sifu Caitlin Bellissimo and Sifu Chris Peltzer, Sifu Hall worked with the three promising black belts three days a week in order to prepare them for the sparring, forms and self-defense skills that would be required elements of the test.

The black belt test was conducted over four days with intense physical and psychological components. The students were required to demonstrate all of the techniques they have acquired throughout their martial arts studies; techniques included were multiple handstrikes, kicks, self-defense techniques, forms (katas) and sparring against one or multiple attackers. With the assistance of the OBEN program's instructors and high belts and several students from Sifu Ron Elay's school, Locust Valley Tae Kwon Do, Sara, Marissa and Richard skillfully demonstrated their techniques against their impressive opponents.

Congratulations to all on a job very well done!