Westbury Okinawan Karate, which is offered by the Westbury Recreation Department, held its formal December Testing and Holiday Party Dec. 17. Twenty-six students that met the attendance requirement and proficiency skills required were tested. Congratulations to the following students who passed their tests and advanced to the next belt level:

Dragon Team

3rd Kyu - Green Belt w/Stripe: Viron Jones and Dwayne Depusoir

4th Kyu - Green Belt: Matthew Libby and Alvin Campos

5th Kyu - Blue Belt: Jourdon Lynch

6th Kyu - Orange Belt: Victor Perez

7th Kyu - Gold Belt with Stripe: Danielibis Ortiz

8th Kyu - Gold Belt: Nazyer Jackson

9th Kyu - Purple Belt: Kiarra Richardson, Bryan Villafuerte and Terris Worrell

Ninja Team

3rd Kyu - Green Belt w/Stripe: Jonathan Cox and Jennifer Pareja

4th Kyu - Green Belt: Steven Alexander

5th Kyu - Blue Belt: Kelsey Lynch, Kristen Lynch and Brittney Jones

7th Kyu - Gold Belt w/Stripe: Elena Kraus and Giordan Walker

8th Kyu - Gold Belt: Alex Vasquez, Jimmy Drakoulis and Naomy Cruz

9th Kyu - Purple Belt: Ajaury Williams, Robert Izquierdo, Sienna Richardson and Maria Romero

Following the test, the dojo held its annual holiday party complete with refreshments, pizza and snacks for the students and their families. Sensei Claus John Power also had a raffle for several gifts for his students. Blackbelts from dojos in Hicksville, Little Neck and Lindenhurst that are part of the L.I. Shidokan Association were on hand to witness and assist Sensei Power with the testing.

The Westbury Okinawan Karate School (dojo), has been working with the Westbury Recreation Department to bring a traditional Okinawan style of karate to the village. The program, coordinated by Sensei John Power 4th Dan is in its 4th year. The Westbury School runs a continuous program that eventually leads to blackbelt and beyond. The school accepts children 6 years of age up to adults. New students are always welcome and there is continuous enrollment every Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For additional information call Sensei John Power at 333-8489 or visit www.westburykarate.com.