Sensei writes:

---

To:	All Empty Hand and Huaxia Chinese School Karate students and Parents
From:	Sensei Todd Elliott
Date:	April 29, 2018
Subject:	Kyu Exam and Class – 5/19/2018 – 10:30 AM at The Empty Hand

We will hold our next kyu exam starting at 10:30 on the morning of Saturday, May 19, 2018 (the class will actually start at 10:30 AM with the kyu exam beginning immediately following the class - usually class runs 45 mins. to an hour). All Empty Hand and Huaxia Chinese School Karate students are both welcome and encouraged to come to class that morning even if you aren’t taking the kyu exam. You are allowed take the kyu exam if you have the minimum number of attendances and you have your instructor’s permission (Sensei and Elijah at Huaxia, Joe, Dan, Shani, Lincoln, Elijah and Sensei at The Empty Hand). Students who are testing or training the class should be at the dojo dressed and ready to help prepare the dojo for the exam no later than 10:00 PM on the 19th.

Although we let Huaxia students wear street clothes under their uniforms at the Chinese School. For the test all students should make sure they are wearing the official uniform. A plain white tee shirt is allowed under the gi top, but no other street clothes are permitted.

Mr. Judson Sumbler, the chief instructor at both Greater St. Matthew’s and the Yeadon Shotokan Karate Clubs, is the scheduled examiner for the 19th. He is a 6th degree black belt with over thirty years Karate experience. Mr. Sumbler has visited our club, and invited us to his own, on many occasions throughout the years. He is an excellent examiner and always teaches fun, informative and entertaining classes. Please give him your best effort and pay close attention to his instructions.

Administrative Details

In order to be eligible to test a student must have trained a minimum of 4 months and have at least 30 attendances (Huaxia students must also show a completed practice log) . The fee for the examination for a color belt with a current ISKF membership card is now $50.00. Students testing for the very first time (white belts or color belts transferring to The Empty Hand from another club) must complete the green ISKF (International Shotokan Karate Federation) membership application, have the application signed by your parents and also get it notarized (Yes, they really have to be notarized!!), and pay both the $35.00 annual ISKF/Empty Hand membership fee and the $50.00 examination fee ($85.00 total). All payments, membership cards, and completed ISKF applications must be presented to one of your instructors no later than the end of class on Wednesday, May 15, 2018. Please make checks payable to The Empty Hand. If you have any questions about the test, you can ask any instructor before or after your normal class times.

And once again, just a reminder... When you take any rank examination please remember to do all of your techniques with speed, power, and focus; remember that you should make loud strong KIAIs throughout your basics and twice during your kata, and DON’T BE LATE!! Finally, Sensei Sumbler WILL NOT LET ANYONE TEST IN A DIRTY UNIFORM. All gis must be clean and neat!! Keep up the good work. Thank you in advance for an outstanding performance during class and on the test.

-Sensei

---

-Joe Elliott

Best wishes,
-Joe Elliott

---

"Hi Folks,
Since the school districts are already starting to send kids home and since this stuff is already beginning to stick, I'm going to go ahead and cancel class for tonight (Tues., Mar. 20, 2018). Please keep warm and stay safe"
-Sensei Elliott

---

-Joe Elliott

---

"Join us at The Empty Hand on New Year's Day when we make our annual attempt to do 100 katas to bring in the new year. This year we hope folks will also honor the memory of Christopher Court (http://www.christopher-court.org/) by sponsoring one of the participants by donating $1.00 to the Christopher Court Foundation for each set of ten katas one of the participants does ($10.00 per 100 katas unless you want to give more!). With any luck we can take a small step toward helping eliminate childhood brain cancer. Please join us as either a participant or a sponsor.
-Sensei"

---