Two Vernon School students, 11-year-old Claire Bouchard and 10-year-old Julie Bouchard recently won New York State qualifying meets in karate to participate in the USA National AAU (Amateur Athletic Union of Karate) on June 30 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Both sisters maintain A academic grades while training up to 12 hours a week to prepare for the upcoming national competition. This competition has been historically the door to the Junior Olympics for all karate martial arts.

Outside of karate, Claire and Julie enjoy their friends, music, and family time. What they particularly like about the sport of karate is the sense of stability that it brings to them as well as the fun and sense of achievement at the Syosset Martial Art Dojo where they practice.