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DO NOT MISS OPPORTUNITIES!!

Dear Students, parents and friends,

Welcome to “Twenty-twelve”. It is another chance to start fresh and work on our commitments and our perseverance. We all have at least one bad habit to break and we could most likely think of many good habits to start.

It is very true that if we do not make a commitment or if we do not have any resolutions for 2012- then we cannot fail. We can be safe and continue in our day to day life answering when someone asks, “What’s new”, we say “Same old thing”. Careful planning is important, but it should not hold you back when an opportunity presents itself.

The only way we can truly fail is if we give up. If we keep trying with each time we fail, we gain experience to make better choices in the future, and we eventually succeed. It seems taking opportunities can help us grow at a faster pace.

We are reminded of how important proper time management is when we attend a funeral. How do we use our days? One of my dear cousins passed away at age 28. He had a heart condition since he was an infant, but he never let it stop him. Listening to testimonials about my cousin, I realized that he lived every day to the fullest and affected everyone around him. He was always fun to be around. He did more in 28 years than most people do in a long life time.

General Choi made use of every day. Once Taekwon-Do was named, he had to keep pushing when the opportunities arose. His remarkable health through those years was a big plus to spreading Taekwon-Do. When a person has a life of commitment and passion, ailments rarely slow them down and they do tend to be healthier.

Time management is the word used for making the time for what you want to do. When figuring out what it is we want to do with our time, we should make sure the time spent will be worthwhile. We should keep our eyes fixed on those big goals and take the opportunities that lead there.

What opportunities will 2012 have in store for you? I know of one opportunity that you should act upon. For the second year in a row, I have presented each student with a pass for a ½ hour private lesson with me. Out of around 200 students, maybe 25 took advantage of the opportunity last year. That is a small percentage when you look at the value of a $40 private lesson (a chance to have a student’s technique inspected closely to get the best advice on how to improve faster). A private lesson is worth 3 class credits. In 30 minutes, I can make enough adjustments to keep the student busy for the next month. After the private lesson, I will know exactly when to look at the student in regular class to see if the student has made their adjustments. Although TKD was developed to be taught in large groups, like the army, a private lesson can answer questions faster and it can help the student reach that next level of expertise sooner. Here is an opportunity to start your year of Taekwon-Do off with a great start. During the private lesson I will also film the student’s pattern to give to the student on CD for a keepsake.

I have designated Monday, January 2 as my “PRIVATE LESSON MARATHON” day since most businesses and schools are closed that day for the New Year Holiday. I will have a sign up list on the wall for anyone who would like to come in on that day for a private lesson. Students should take note that the private lesson offer is only good until March 31, 2012- so set your lesson up ASAP. I usually can schedule private lessons Friday afternoon or evening and Saturdays. I have times available during the week as well.

Do not miss those worthwhile opportunities that may present themselves. It could be the source of much gained knowledge and a great story to tell next year at this time!

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Cashatt, 7th DAN

INSTRUCTORS SEMINAR JAN. 7

On Saturday, Jan. 7th we will be holding our first Instructors Seminar of 2012 from 8 AM to noon. All students 12 years old and over who are Green Belt and above and all junior and senior Black Belts are invited to attend this free seminar with Master Cashatt. We will be re-introducing our newest drills and technique changes as well as showing some new things for the first time. We will be learning the newest ideas on how to teach and motivate our fine students. We will be discussing the future of our dojang and hearing ideas from all who attend.

All students younger than 12 and/or under Green Belt can attend the seminar during the 9:30-10:30 AM slot where our Instructors will be going over Requirement Sheets and trying out new drills and procedures. Students who attend this portion will surely help our Instructors to become better.

All students fitting the age and rank specifications should consider coming. Teaching is part of TaeKwon-Do; in fact we’re teaching what we’ve learned through training in TaeKwon-Do every day! In our daily dealings with others, our attitude and perseverance shine, and that can be considered a form of teaching. Attending the seminar helps the students (instructors) improve their physical skills above and beyond normal classes.

Even if you don’t plan on helping out at classes, you can surely benefit from these 4 free hours of TaeKwon-Do. Please sign up on the dojang wall if you’re coming.

FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS JAN. 12

On Thursday, January 12 Master Instructor Mark Cashatt will hold a one hour free self-defense class that will be geared towards women’s protection for ages 10 and above. It will go from7-8 PM.

During the hour, we will work on the frontal five and dirty half dozen self-defense routines. We will also talk about preventive steps we can take to ensure safety in the home and outside the home.

Please call 215-721-1839 to register or email cashattTKD@verizon.net or sign up on the dojang wall if you plan on attending. Pass the word. This class was specifically set up so that college kids on winter break can attend. Talk to Master Cashatt with any questions.

CLEAN-UP RT. 113

Four times a year, Mark Cashatt’s TaeKwon-Do School, Inc. is required to clean up their adopted portion of Route 113 from Schoolhouse Road to Allentown Road. For those of us who travel that route a lot, we can see that the roadway needs our attention.

When we do community service like this we learn many lessons. To do something for the reward of personal satisfaction is one thing, but when it’s a kind and generous gesture that helps everyone, it is more special. To do something that is not exactly easy and a little yucky, like picking up trash, makes us realize how important each one of us is as far as doing our part to help the world. We also learn that cigarette smokers throw their cigarette butts out the window!! Bending over, picking up trash and walking the mile are challenges, too. These challenges help our kids realize hard work is worth it.

On Saturday, January 14, all students and their families who can will meet at the Franconia Heritage Restaurant parking lot at 11 AM. Please come with boots or good shoes and a willingness to pick up trash and help beautify our community. A parent should accompany all children under 12. Our cleaning up should be over by 12:30 PM.

We will supply the gloves and trash bags. Please sign up on the dojang bulletin board if you plan on coming.

PARENTS NIGHT-OUT

On Friday, January 27th we’re holding a “Parent’s Night Out” at our dojang. Parents are invited to drop off their kids at 6 PM, to give them a night of working out. They will participate in formal training, along with games, fun drills, pizza, snacks and a movie. When planning this event, we took into account that parents could have 6:30 PM dinner reservations, and then catch a movie while we give their kids a workout and entertainment! Parents should plan to pick their kids up any time before 11 PM.

Having events such as this one allows our younger students to have more social interaction with the other students who are also trying to do their best to observe the five tenets at all times. This atmosphere allows positive, teamwork vibes where good friendships can flourish.

The 5 hours of TaeKwon-Do supervision costs $25, $20 for additional family members. Other non-TKD-student family members (who are age 5 and up) are also invited. We also want our students to take the opportunity to invite up to three friends.

All participants for the “Parents Night-Out” must be registered by Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Call 215-721-1839 or email cashattTKD@verizon.net to register or sign up on the bulletin board at the dojang.

Those kids (parents) who cannot stay for this “special night” can come from 6-7 PM to count as their regular class.

TAI CHI CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET-FEB. 3

The Chinese New Year gives us all an excuse to eat wonderful Chinese food. For the 3rd year in a row, Master Cashatt has arranged for a banquet featuring Chinese food and Tai Chi (a martial art which is reputed to originate in China).

On Friday, Feb. 3 starting at 6 PM at our dojang, we will hold this “Tai Chi Chinese New Year Banquet.” The feast will be catered by Yantze Gourmet Chinese Restaurant from Lansdale. Included in the buffet will be Crabmeat Wonton, Pan-fried Pork Dumpling, Governor’s Chicken, Shrimp with Mixed Vegetables, Sautéed String Beans and Roast Pork Fried Rice.

While food is being served and eaten, Master Cashatt will be demonstrating many of the Tai Chi routines that he knows. This year again, Mr. Howard Peck, another fine Tai Chi practitioner and teacher will also be demonstrating.

Behind all of this, we will have a live Chinese orchestra made up our Taekwon-Do students and families who played last year.

It costs $25 per person and there is a deadline of January 31 to let us know you are coming.

BOARD BREAKING JANUARY 19

In TaeKwon-Do, we break boards to determine whether we are doing our technique properly. If everything is done correctly, the board will break with little or no pain to the martial artist.

Students will have the opportunity to break boards in either the 6-7 PM or 7-8 PM class. There will be a chance during both hours to practice Taekwon-Do patterns as well.

All students are eligible to participate and are encouraged to do so. Boards must be broken at the Green Belt test, and with all the Black Belts tests. It’s historical because “Board Breaking Records” can be set on these days. Participants should check the wall of the dojang where the records are listed so that they can picture their name replacing the present record holder for any specific technique. There’s also room for never attempted techniques that the participant would like to submit as a “record”.

We also have Mr. Deardorff’s booklet with 10 segments called “So You Want to Break Boards” on sale at the dojang for $5, which would help.

The white pine boards we use cost $3 for a whole board and $1.50 for a half board. Students should sign up for boards on the bulletin board in the dojang, and please pay for the boards ahead of time. If a student or parent does not know what to do, ask an instructor.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE MONTH

A value system has been arranged so that each month one student will get 3 points. That student will have been the most outstanding student of the previous month for an announced reason. A student will get 2 points if they performed very well that previous month. The student will get 1 point if they showed self-control in their previous month’s performance and if a student doesn’t get any points, they need to work on their self-control and behavior.

A student can only get “Outstanding Student of the Month” once in their TKD training; however the points keep totaling until the end of the year when the numbers show the nominations for “Outstanding Student of the Year”. That award is given out at our annual Souderton Invitational Tournament usually held in April. This month’s Outstanding Student is:

JONATHAN ADAMS

Jonathan is awarded the honor because of his self-control and indomitable spirit as he always tries to abide by the protocol we set forth in our dojang. In doing so, he shows the value of doing things properly. It brings out proper manners, fairness in relationships and chivalry. Congratulations to Jonathan and the Adams family.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

JAN. 4…DOJANG CONGRESS at 7:45 PM.

JAN. 7…INSTRUCTOR SEMINAR from 8 AM to noon.

JAN. 12…FREE SELF-DEFENSE 7-8 PM.

JAN. 14…OUTDOOR CLASS 9:30-10:30 AM

JAN. 14…HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP starting at 11 AM.

JAN. 19…BOARD BREAKING in 6 & 7 PM classes.

JAN. 24…BASIX CLASS featuring blocking or defensive kicks from 6-7 PM.

JAN. 27…PARENTS NIGHT OUT from 6-11 PM.

FEB. 3…TAI CHI CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET starts at 6 PM. (no classes this night)

FEB. 11…DOJANG CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE BATTLE OF THE KINGDOMS CONTINUES….

Dear students, parents and friends,

On Saturday, February 11, we will hold our annual “DOJANG CHAMPIONSHIPS” at the dojang; doors open at 9 AM. Students who plan on participating should come within that next hour to register and warm up. At 10 AM sharp the competition will start.

This event is extra special because the battle continues between the “three kingdoms” (which in 2011, Baek Je Dynasty won the championship by 1 point over Silla Dynasty). Back in 2010, we divided the entire dojang student body in to 3 equal teams. Every student from every clan or kingdom watches out for each other (like a big buddy system) and helps the lower belts so they can learn faster. The three Dynasties are called Koguryo, Baek-je and Silla. Those three names were the ancient kingdoms of Korea just before it was united in the 7th century.

We have been holding this “inner-school” Taekwon-Do tournament since the earliest years of our dojang history. In 1997, Mark Cashatt’s Taekwon-Do School, Inc. opened the second location at Harley Commons in Harleysville. By 2001, Harleysville dojang had enough students to take on the first dojang, Souderton. Then the battles between the two dojangs began. During the Dojang Championships, if students get a 1st place, that would give 5 points to their team (or in the old days, their dojang). 2nd is worth 4 points, 3rd is worth 3 points and 4th is worth 2. The 2001, Souderton dojang won. Souderton had more students participate that year. But in 2002, Harleysville won! Harleysville won 2003 and 2004 so the HISTORICAL SCORE was Souderton- 1, Harleysville- 3. Then the Souderton dojang came back to life. Souderton won 2005 and 2006 which brought us to 2007 with the score 3-3. At the time of the 2007 DOJANG CHAMPIONSHIPS, we did not know the two dojangs were going to close and merge at our present location. We didn’t know it would be the last battle between Souderton Dojang and Harleysville Dojang. Souderton Dojang won the final year of the 7 year battle.

When we moved in to our present location, in the early summer of 2007, we took the wooden floor from Souderton Dojang and the wooden floor from Harleysville Dojang and joined those planks together to form the new floor…just as our students merged and became one dojang.

But now we have the three kingdoms and a whole new string of battles that will continue! On February 11, all participants will be tagged with their kingdom’s color: Korguryo is green, Silla is red and Baek Je is blue. Then the competition begins with individual patterns. Black Belts will go first and it will move very quickly. Allowing our lower belts and children to watch the Black Belt performances helps create a picture of what the pattern performance should look like. Then all the other students will be separated in to groups or divisions of 3 or 4 participants according to age first, then belt. In each group, a participant will get 1st place, 5 points for their kingdom and a gold medal. Of course 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers will get their perspective awards.

Next we take the 1st place finishers in each division and they battle, performing their patterns until there is one winner. That winner will get the “BEST OF THE BEST” trophy for individual patterns.

The next event is the GROUND PATTERN competition. This time we separate all the participants, color belts and Black Belts, in to 3 or 4 groups according to age. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers get their medals and points for their kingdom. The participants who get 1st place in each division then battle against each other, with the ground pattern, to see who gets the “BEST OF THE BEST” trophy for ground patterns.

The third event is the “FLYING HIGH SNAP KICK”. The entire group of participants will be separated in to 3 groups (possibly 4 if we have 3 or more participants age 40 and over). We will group participants according to their height. The participants keep jumping as the target rises until we have our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of each division. The participant who jumps the highest of all gets the “BEST OF THE BEST” trophy for the flying high snap kick.

The final event is sparring. Since back in the days of the battles between Souderton Dojang and Harleysville Dojang, we have awarded SPARRING CHAMPIONSHIPS belts in 7 divisions of participants. We divided the students only by weight which meant white belts might have had to spar with Black Belts. Although the competition was quite exciting, this system caused some problems over the years. This year we are changing the system. We will separate the students by age and then belt. Color Belts (gups) will get medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd and the points for their dynasty as listed above. The Black Belts will get separated the same way between all present and we will try to make 7 divisions- 4 for the men and 3 for the ladies so we can continue with the large CHAMPIONSHIP BELT which will go home with the winner until they are challenged by the SPARRING CHALLENGE LADDER of competitors. That Ladder will be determined on Feb. 11 and chances for students to challenge will happen every 3rd month of the year until next year.

So here it begins. We encourage all students to participate as there are many lessons to be learned during this day. It builds courage to perform. It gives us a showplace for all that practicing we have been doing. It challenges each individual to try to be the best they can be.

The atmosphere at our DOJANG CHAMPIONSHIPS is unlike anything anywhere. We are a family oriented dojang and even though we are separated according to kingdom, we all look out for each other and we all cheer each other on.

Statistics show that usually the team who has the most participants wins the big battle of points. Every clan member, every student participant will bring points to their kingdom. Above all, this even promotes good sportsmanship and healthy competition.

It costs $30 to participate. Each additional family member costs $25. Spectators can watch for free. Everyone who participates in individual patterns will go home with at least one medal. Refreshments will be available. We expect the tournament to be over by 2:30 PM. Please let me know if you have any questions.

See you there,

Mark Cashatt, 7th DAN

OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Every class, instructors have the opportunity to vote for up to 5 students in our children’s class, who were outstanding in their class. Through discussions with the instructors and Mr. Cashatt, a value system has been arranged so that each month one student will get 3 points. That student will have been the most outstanding student of the previous month. A student will get 2 points if they performed very well that previous month. The student will get 1 point if they showed self-control in their previous month’s performance and if a student doesn’t get any points, they need to work on their self-control and behavior.

A student can only get “Outstanding Student of the Month” once in their TKD training; however the points keep totaling until the end of the year when the “Outstanding Student of the Year” is announced. This month’s chosen “Outstanding Student of the Month” is:

BRIANA SIMS

Briana has been training for 3 years and has been very dedicated to improving her technique. Now at Blue Belt, she has shown even more perseverance as the knowledge and techniques get more difficult. I award her with this honor because of her attitude, in class, to conquer her goals.

2012 TAI CHI CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET-FEB. 3

This will be the third year Master Cashatt has arranged a banquet to celebrate the Chinese New Year (featuring his other favorite martial art Taijiquan, or Tai Chi). It will be a night of great food and great entertainment.

The evening will start out with the LION DANCE which is said to bring good luck to any event. Mr. Michael Louie and some of his fine students will be part of the LION DANCE.

Then, as the spectators fill their plates and feast on the buffet, Master Cashatt will be demonstrating many of the Tai Chi routines that he knows. This year, once again, we will also have Howard Peck, another fine Tai Chi practitioner and teacher, demonstrating Tai Chi routines that he knows.

Music will be live on this evening. We have put together the “Tai Chi Chinese New Year” Orchestra made up of some of the students and parents of our Taekwon-Do dojang. It will be a night to remember.

Along with the supper, we will supply water and hot tea. Spectators are encouraged to BYO favorite drink if they would like anything else.

It costs $25 per person and there is a deadline of January 28 to let us know you are coming.

PARENTS NIGHT-OUT RE-SCHEDULED

On Friday, Feb. 24 we have re-scheduled our “Parent’s Night Out” at our dojang. Parents are invited to drop off their kids at 6 PM, to give them a night of working out. They will participate in formal training, along with games, fun drills, pizza, snacks and a movie. When planning this event, we took into account that parents could have 6:30 PM dinner reservations and catch a movie while we give their kids a workout and entertainment! Parents should plan to pick their kids up any time before 11 PM.

Having events such as this one allows our younger students to have more social interaction with other students who are also trying to do their best to observe the five tenets at all times. This atmosphere allows positive, teamwork vibes where good friendships can flourish.

All participants for the “Parents Night-Out” must be registered by Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Call 215-721-1839 or email cashattTKD@verizon.net to register or sign up on the bulletin board at the dojang.

Those kids (parents) who cannot stay for this “special night” can come from 6-7 PM to count as their regular class.

PREPARE FOR THE 2012 TUL-A-THON

“Tul” is the Korean word for pattern. A TaeKwon-Do pattern is a series of moves pre-determined and created by General Choi Hong Hi. There are 24 patterns in all, one for every hour of the day. Patterns are one of the things students learn to get promoted to the next rank. With each promotion, a student is required to learn a new pattern and the student must remember all the previous patterns. During a one hour Taekwon-Do class, it is sometimes very difficult to give students enough time to do all their patterns. That is why this event is so useful and should be done more often.

On Friday, March 9 at 3 PM until Saturday, March 10 at 3 PM, we will be conducting a 24 hour pattern marathon at the dojang. Students are asked to come in anytime during those 24 hours and do at least 40 patterns.

We usually tag a fundraiser to this event because it is an event of perseverance. The tul-a-thon pushes us beyond our normal routines and it’s great to do stuff like that for a greater cause other than just self-improvement. This year we will raise money for two of our Taekwon-Do families who are struggling with the hardships of cancer. Our two families have been persevering through this very difficult time in their lives and one thing they believe is important is to continue their Taekwon-Do training for continued growth and to add some normalcy to their lives. The money we raise will go to the families to help with bills or maybe to take a family vacation… it will be a gift from all of us.

We will have sign up lists so you can reserve your time to come in and do your patterns. We have many records that could be in danger this year. Highest total money raised at a tul-a-thon was $3,858 in 2007. The most participants at a tul-a-thon were 87 and that was in 2010. The highest total of patterns done by all participants was set in 2010 at 7,631 patterns. Lawrence Loughery set a record of 14, 421 total moves in 2011. To get that record total, we took the total number of patterns along with how many moves are in each pattern and came up with that total. That is why it is important to do equal amounts of each pattern during a student’s tul-a-thon. We also have the 2011 record for “buddy marathon”- which needs two students- one of the two must be doing a pattern at all times with no more than 10 seconds between patterns. The record is 13 hours and 25 minutes set by Lawrence Loughery and Myles Menardi. The highest total patterns for a junior gup (age 15 and under) was Chris Seiler in 2011 with 623 patterns, adult gup (age 16 and up) was James Erb in 2010 with 182 patterns. The highest total patterns for youth Black Belt was Myles Menardi in 2011 with 330 patterns and the senior Black Belt was set by Lawrence Loughery with 402 patterns.

Everyone who participated in the past has their own personal totals to beat- we always hang up last year’s totals for everyone to reflect upon.

Please put the date on your calendar and like all our events, all students in the UTF and our affiliated dojangs are welcome to participate. Just call or email Master Cashatt with questions.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

FEB. 1…DOJANG CONGRESS at 7:45 PM

FEB. 3…2012 TAI CHI CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET at 6 PM- no classes

FEB. 11…DOJANG CHAMPIONSHIPS starting at 10 AM

FEB. 15…MASTER CLASS from 8-9 PM featuring CHOI-YONG

FEB. 17…GUP TEST starts at 6 PM.

FEB. 21…BASIX CLASS from 6-7 PM on stances.

FEB. 24..PARENTS NIGHT OUT from 6 – 11 PM. (re-scheduled from Jan. 27)

MARCH 9-10…TUL-A-THON fundraiser

MARCH 18…ITF US NATIONALS- HOUSTON, TX, 7 students competing- wish us luck!

APRIL 21…OUR SOUDERTON INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

JUNE 8-10…OUR “SPIRIT OF TKD” SUMMER CAMP WEEKEND

JUNE 23…SPRING FESTIVAL (date is still being worked on- May Saturdays are filled)

JULY 9-13…ALL BELTS DAY CAMP 9 am TO 3 pm DAILY