February Newsletter

02 February 2026

Chestertown and Easton

Regular Class Schedules All Week

• Friday 02/06: Regular Class Schedule
• Saturday 02/07: Regular Class Schedule
• Saturday 02/07: Weapons Clinic at 1 PM

 

Weekly Outstanding Students

Chestertown

Leader of the Week – Hailey Dawson

Student of the Week – Martin Silva

Tang Soo Spirit of the Week – Misty de Arriz

Easton

Leader of the Week – LeRoy Pope

Student of the Week – Santos Lendechy

Tang Soo Spirit of the Week – Davis Mendiola-Toribio

 

Parent’s Night Out: Valentine’s Day

When: Saturday February 14, 2026                       5:00 to 9:00 PM

Where: Easton Do Jang

Take Home Flyers and Sign-Up Lists Available this Week!

Tang Soo!!

 

Basic Tang Soo Do Etiquette

Taken from the pages or our Student Handbook

3. Proper respect should be displayed by the mutual bowing between students as they arrive for training. The “greeting” should be initiated by the junior member and acknowledged by the senior member.

 

February 2026

Bring–A–Buddy Month

January’s Outstanding Students

Chestertown

Leader of the Month – Hailey Dawson

Student of the Month – Martin Silva

Most Spirited Student – Mia Mancusso

Easton

Leader of the Month – Samuel Mendiola-Toribio

Student of the Month – Jackson Coleman

Most Spirited Student – Niko Young

 

Every Day is a New Opportunity to Think Positive and Change Your Life – Unknown

 

Happy Birthday – February!

생일 축하  Saeng-Il Chuga 

Daven Whalen – February 03^rd

Hamza Alshawa – February 06^th

Kaiden Crites – February 07^th

Karla Galazzo – February 10^th

John Kemp – February 10^th

Valerie Freeman – February 12^th

William Kemp – February 16^th

Faith Frase – February 16^th

Kristyn Young – February 17^th

Jamey Larrimore – February 21^st

Aksel Bailey – February 21^st

KSN Sabrina Johnson – February 23^rd

SBN KT Pagano – February 25^th

 

10^th Annual Chesapeake Bay Invitational

The Perfect Tournament to WIN AND to LEARN

10^th Year! It’s Hard to Believe!

Saturday March 7^th in Odenton, MD

It started as a training seminar to help our students prepare for the upcoming Spring Tournament Season. In conjunction with Synergy Martial Arts, we wanted to provide a realistic feel for how competition works and to provide a way for parents to understand what happens at tournaments. As it grew, we began using it as a way to train judges, referees and scorekeepers as well. Then it became an Interschool tournament…and now, we realize that this has become an annual tradition and it has been going on for 10 Years!!!

This year, we will have commemorative T-Shirts, and we are introducing our 1^st round of Grand Champion Trophies!

Coffee and Food trucks will be available All Day!

We Thank You All for being a Part of this Annual Tradition!

Tang Soo!

 

Even if you don’t Win, you Learn…which is in itself Winning!

 

Belt Tests and Promotions

• Endurance Testing – Went Great! Excellent participation and Excellent Results! Tang Soo!!
• Promotions for Colored Belts (posting this week) will be:
  • Wednesday February 18 at 5:30 PM in Easton
  • Friday February 20 at 5:30 PM in Chestertown
• Weapons Proficiency Testing – Saturday February 28 at 10:00 AM in Chestertown
• Tiny Tigers Testing – Friday March 13 at 5:00 PM in Easton
• Belt (Gup) Testing – Saturday March 14 at 10:00 AM in Easton
• Tiny Tigers Testing – Friday March 20 at 5:00 PM in Chestertown
• April – Red Belts, Black Belt Pre-Tests/Re-Certs/Rank Tests (tentative and still subject to change).
  • Saturday April 18^th at Eastern Shore Tang Soo Do in Chestertown
  • Saturday April 25^th at Synergy Martial Arts in Odenton
• Next Belt/Gup Test in Chestertown Saturday May TBA. Tang Soo!

 

A Person is Great Not because they haven’t Failed, a Person is Great because Failure hasn’t Stopped Them

– Confucius (paraphrased)

 

Spring Tournament/Fun Dates

• February 14^th – Parent’s Night Out: Valentine’s Day
• March 7^th – Chesapeake Bay Invitational
• March 28^th – Garden State Championships**
• May 15 – Picture Day in Easton 3:00 – 8:00 PM
• May 16 – Picture Day in Chestertown 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• May 30?? – Saturday in the Park in Chestertown 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• June 5^th & 6^th – CS Kim Karate National Championships **Date Change
• June 27 – Annual Picnic and Belt Promotions: Tuckahoe State Park
  • Sunday 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM

 

Accept Everything just the way it Is – Miyamoto Musashi

 

FLASH Sale: Full Sparring Gear Sets!

We have a few Complete Sets of Gear, Ready-to-Go!

There are several unsold pieces that have been collecting dust in storage and SBN Pagano has completed these sets, making them ready for use immediately! Normal Bundle Pricing is $155 for a Complete Set (buying pieces individually can cost $215 or more).

**Sale Prices Based on number of pieces needed to complete the set

1. Purple Century Set: Ideal for Youth – Shoe Size 7/8 Sale: $95
2. Blue Pro Force Set: Ideal for Youth/Teen – Shoe Size 8-8.5 Sale: $95
3. Neon Green Century Set: Ideal for Youth – Shoe Size 7/8 Sale: $95
4. White Pro Force Set: Ideal for Tiny Tigers – Shoe Size ½: $95
5. Blue Century Set: Ideal for Youth – Shoe Size 5/6 Sale: $95

 

February is Bring-A-Buddy Month

In the Spirit of Sharing and Togetherness,

Bring-A-Buddy to Class and if they sign-up to become Students then you can earn a Tang$oo Dollars Card (gift card worth $25)!

 

Groundhog Day (Punxsutawney Phil) Results

Monday 02 February 2026

 

Lunar New Year: Spring Festival

Tuesday February 17 – Wednesday March 03

Year of the Fire Horse

Lunar New Year, Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Seollal, Tibetan Losar, also called Spring Festival, is typically celebrated in Asian countries and begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 or 16 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year, beginning sometime between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars.

Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” Traditionally, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honoring ancestors. Also on New Year’s Day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. On this night colorful lanterns light up the houses, and traditional foods such as yuanxiao (sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad) are served.

The origins of the Lunar New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends. One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s Day. Because Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were burned all night, and firecrackers were lit to frighten the beast away.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse: The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse (starting Feb 17) represents a rare, 60-year cycle bringing intense energy, passion, and rapid transformation. It symbolizes a time for bold, independent action, breaking from traditions, and high-stakes, ambitious pursuits. However, this high-energy year also poses risks of impulsiveness, volatility, and burnout. 

 

Korean New Years Greeting: Haengbokan Saehae Doeseyo (행복한 새해 되세요) which translates to “Have a Happy New Year!”

 

 

Key Aspects of the 2026 Fire Horse Year:

• The Symbolism: The Horse represents speed, strength, and freedom, while Fire amplifies these with passion and innovation.
• Energy and Trends: The year is expected to be fast-paced, pushing for significant breakthroughs, social change, and technological advancement.
• Challenges:

 The intense, fiery energy can lead to unpredictability, conflict, and a need for careful, strategic planning to manage volatility

• Industry Impact: Industries related to fire—such as technology, AI, and digital services—are predicted to thrive.
• Individual Focus: It is a time for taking risks, pursuing major life changes, and practicing self-care to manage heightened emotional and physical stress. 

Cultural Significance
This is the first Fire Horse year since 1966. The “Red Horse” (赤馬) is seen as a powerful, albeit tumultuous, time, often associated with a desire for independence and a reevaluation of societal norms.

 

There are 2 Main Reasons for Failing in Karate:

1. You didn’t Learn the Lesson you were Taught.
2. You didn’t Practice the Lesson you were Taught.

 

National Random Acts of Kindness Week

February 15-21 is National Random Acts of Kindness Week!

Tuesday February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day!

As Martial Artists, it is in our code of conduct to be respectful, honorable, and kind to others. So, here is my challenge…

Let’s ALL of us attempt to do ONE Act of Random Kindness (ARK), each day this week. I encourage everyone to share their experience in class each night, no matter how small, big, or seemingly insignificant you may feel the ARK to be, because I am sure that the Act will have made a difference to the recipient. Fulfill your challenge with your Parents (by doing something unexpected and kind for them), or a Family member, a Friend, or even for a complete Stranger. Let us know how it makes you feel to do something Random and Kind for others.  Thank You for your participation in this.

Tang Soo!!

 

February/March – Clinics/Events

February 07 – Weapons Clinic 1:00 PM

February 13 – Judo Clinic: Easton

February 14 – Leadership Event: Valentine’s Day PNO 5:00 PM in Easton

February 18 – Belt Promotions: Easton

February 20 – Belt Promotions: Chestertown

February 21 – Red Belt Clinic 1:00 PM in Chestertown

February 27 – Tournament Prep All Classes

February 28 – Weapons Test: Chestertown 10:00 AM

March 06 –Tournament Prep All Classes

March 07 – Chesapeake Bay Invitational Tournament

March 13 – Tiny Tiger Testing in Easton at 5:00 PM

March 13 – JUDO Clinic in Chestertown

March 14 – Belt Testing at 10:00 AM in Easton

March 14 – Leadership Clinic at 1:00 PM in Easton

March 20 – Tiny Tiger Testing in Chestertown at 5:00 PM

March 21 – Black Belt Clinic at 1:00 PM in Chestertown

March 27 – Tournament Prep All Classes

March 28 – Garden State Championships: Woodbury NJ 

 

Chesapeake Bay Invitational

Saturday March 1^st, 2025

The Perfect Tournament to LEARN – PRACTICE – WATCH

Hosted at Synergy Martial Arts. Co-Hosted by Phoenix Martial Arts

This Tournament is a Great way to break into Competition and begin to understand Tournaments in general!

Competition Divisions consist of:

Forms                         Breaking

Sparring                                 Weapons

Competitors are further divided and matched up by age and rank, within each competition category.

Rules for Judging are explained before each event.

Medals are awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place!

This is a Fantastic first experience and a Great way to practice for All Tournaments for the coming year!

Pre-Registration Investment is $65 (Flat Fee) by Saturday February 28^th

At the Door is $75

Get your registration form NOW!

Chesapeake Bay Invitational, Hosted at Synergy Martial Arts

1360 Blair Drive, Odenton, MD 21113

Check-In: 9:00 AM               Start Time: 10:00 AM

 

Your Competition in Not with Other People…

It’s with your Procrastination.

It’s with your Excuses.

It’s with the Skill that you Neglect.

Compete against That and Conquer Yourself. – Unknown

 

2026 Referral Program

February 2026 is our First Referral Program for the Year!

Refer a Friend, Family Member, Coworker…Anyone during the month, February 1^st through the 28^th!

 

Loyalty has No Grey Area – Unknown

 

Garden State Championships

Saturday March 28^th, Thorofare, NJ

Champions Do what’s Needed regardless of how they Feel.

Their Discipline Overrides their Feelings.

• Allistair McCaw

“Experience is a Great Teacher…in Fact, the Best!”

“Competition with others is still competition with Yourself!”

“Enriching your Martial Arts Training with Tournament Participation is an important Experience in your development as a Tang Soo Do practitioner!”

I Personally Stand Behind Every One of these Statements…no matter how cliché they may be! Positive Reinforcement aside…our Choong Jae Nim (Master CS Kim) always attends this tournament (he and Master Yi trained together in Korea under Supreme Grandmaster Hwang Kee), and it is a Great excuse to get to see him and spend time with this Amazing Martial Arts Legend. If there were No Other Reason to go…this is enough. Bring your magazine and ask him to sign it, too!

TANG SOO!!!

 

The Secret of getting ahead is getting Started – Mark Twain

 

DRINK WATER!

In the WINTER you NEED to maintain your water intake! It is all too easy to become dehydrated in the Chaotic Changing Weather and Heat running constantly in the Home, School or Business!

HOW MUCH SHOULD I DRINK?!   

Simple: (your body weight) ÷ 2 = the fluid ounces of water you should drink in a typical day  Example- 160 lbs. ÷ 2 = 80 oz. of water/day. This should be a minimum amount for a training day and this number should increase on the days you know exercise is in your schedule!  PLEASE STAY HYDRATED!

 

Climb the Mountain…not so that the World can see you, but so that you can see the World.

 

To ALL who Enter this Do Jang

KEEP your Hearts and Minds OPEN…

Then, You shall be OPEN to the Teachings, in whichever Form they may come!

 

The Most Advanced Thing You Can Do are the Basics Consistently. – Unknown

Black Belt is a White Belt who Never Gave Up!

 

Just Don’t Quit!