August Newsletter
August 2, 2026
03 August 2026
Chestertown and Easton
Regular Classes Monday through Friday at Both Schools
We will have a guest, Sa Bom Nim Michael Okyen, at the Chestertown Do Jang on Friday and Saturday.
- Friday 07/31: Regular Class Schedules
- Tiny Tigers
- Family Class
- Weapons Clinic
- Saturday 08/01: NO Classes
- 10:00 AM Weapons Proficiency Test in Easton
- 1:00 PM Leadership Clinic
Weekly Outstanding Students
Chestertown
Leader of the Week – Audrey Pope
Student of the Week – Macy Joiner
Tang Soo Spirit of the Week – Tyde Bell-Ford
Easton
Leader of the Week – Valerie Freeman
Student of the Week – Shay McCready
Tang Soo Spirit of the Week – Reality Washington
It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you Do Not Stop. – Unknown
Standard Terminology
Taken from the pages or our Student Handbook
DAN – Degree. Holder of a Midnight Blue (Black) Belt.
Cho Dan: Beginning Level; E Dan: 2nd Degree; Sam Dan: 3rd Degree…
Do Jang Rules
Rule #1: Leave your Ego at the Door
Rule #2: See Rule # 1
Rule #3: A Clean Do Bok shows Respect for Yourself and
your Do Jang
Rule #4: On our Mat, we Bow, we Listen, and we Lift Each
Other UP
Korean Word of the Week
By BKS Faith
Word: 존중 (jon-jung) Respect.
Phrase: 존중하는 마음을 가지세요.
(jon-jung-ha-nein ma-eum-eul ga-ji-se-yo)
Have a Respectful Heart.
Diving Deeper: Respect is the foundation of every strong martial artists. It is not something you earn once you receive a black belt. It is something you practice everyday no matter your rank or age. Every class gives you an opportunity to show respect through yout attitude, effort, and actions. Showing respect means recognizing that everyone has their own journey and by being patient, encouraging, and treating everyone with kindness, we create a positive place everyone can grow in.
In the dojang, we show respect by:
- Arriving ready to learn with a positive attitude
- Listening carefully to instructors and leaders
- Encouraging and supporting your classmates
- Staying focussed during class and avoid distracting others
- Showing good manners, like bowing and saying thank you
- Practicing with honesty, humility, and self-control
- Taking care of your uniform
Challenge: Try to use the Phrase of the Week at the 도장 (Do Jang)! 가족!
A Black Belt is not something you wear, it’s something you Become. – Unknown
Belt Tests and Promotions – Lists Are Posted
- August 28th Tiny Tigers Test in Chestertown at 5:00 PM
- August 28th Gup Test in Chestertown at 6:15 PM
- Endurance Testing in Easton on Saturday in Easton on Saturday August 29th at 10:00 AM
- September 2nd Tiny Tigers Test in Easton at 5:15 PM
- September 2nd Gup Test in Easton at 6:30 PM
- Fall ITF Black Belt Training: October 9/10 in Monroeville, PA
- Master’s Fall Training and Testing: October 9/10 in Monroeville, PA
- Advanced Test: Saturday October 3 (TBD) in Chestertown, MD
- Advanced Test: Saturday October 17 in Odenton, MD
True Meaning of Ki Ahp: 4- Commitment Giving 100% of Your Energy
Hershey Park Amusement Park Trip
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
No Classes at Either School this Day
For those going:
- Park Opens at 10:00AM – We would like to get a Group Photo at 10:30 AM inside the Gate, gathering in front of Hershey’s Chocolatetown. Wear your T-Shirt (which have been ordered)
- From there, the day is yours. Feel free to travel in groups with other students; do your own thing; or a little of both.
- Please stay in touch (especially for the Group Photo), and SHARE photos of your experiences throughout the day!
- Sa Bom Nim Mark Pagano 410-708-9944
- Bu Kyo Sa Faith Frase 667-526-6099
- Thank You! Tang Soo!!!
Surround Yourself with Friends who Force you to Grow. – Unknown
Weapons Proficiency Testing Update
Easton, Saturday August 1st
Great Test Saturday! We have seen some steady improvement in our Weapons Skills over that last year. There is still more to work on, however with the right Attitude (which we saw a lot of this weekend) we can Achieve Anything! Everyone who was there to Test, Practice and even Learn had the right attitude which made it a Fantastic Experience for All! Tang Soo!!
Summer/Fall Tournament/Fun Dates
- August 12: Hershey Park Trip
- September 8-11: Open House at Both Schools
- September 12: Mid-Atlantic All Female Tournament in Columbia MD
Registration: https://www.karate4girls.com/maafko/
- October TBA: Halloween Parties
- October 31: Halloween Parade in Chestertown
- November 07: CS Kim Karate Inter-School Tournament in Monroeville, PA
- November 20/21: Master Ketchen Tournament in Buffalo NY
Mid-Atlantic All Female Karate Tournament
Saturday September 12, 2026
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
2400 MD-97, Cooksville MD 21723
Pre-Registration Deadline is 23 August for $80.
(Registration will be accepted at the door, for $90)
The Correct Link:
https://www.karate4girls.com/maafko-2/
This is a Fun and Exciting small, local tournament for our Girls/Women.
It is a very well organized and Welcoming atmosphere, and an Incredible Confidence builder for our Girls.
Don’t Chase the Belt. Chase the Skill. – Unknown
Just Don’t Quit!
August 2026
Tomorrow’s Battle is Won during Today’s Practice.
Happy Birthday – August!
Stephen Smith – August 1st
Chippi Cornell – August 3rd
Kayden Cameron – August 10th
Happy 86th Birthday to our Choong Jae Nim,
Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim – August 18th, 1940
Melanie Sheridan – August 18th
Amanda Pope – August 19th
Oscar Jackson – August 25th
Windy Asmussen – August 31st
Bryan Hepworth – August 31st
It Doesn’t take 5 or 10 years to Master Karate. It Takes a Lifetime. – Unkown
July’s Outstanding Students
Chestertown
Leader of the Month – Audrey Pope
Student of the Month – Cassidy Dawson
Most Spirited Student – Trenia Marsh
Easton
Leader of the Month – Andrea Freeman
Student of the Month – Jackson Coleman
Most Spirited Student – Shay McCready
Motivation is what gets you Started.
Habit is what keeps you Going.
August/September/October – Clinics/Events
August 07 – Tournament Prep at 6:45 PM
August 08 – Regular Class in Chestertown at 10:30 AM
August 12 – Hershey Park Trip
August 14 – Judo Clinics in Chestertown
August 21 – Tournament Prep at 6:45 PM
August 28 – Tiny Tiger Test: Chestertown
August 28 – Colored Belt Test: Chestertown
August 29 – Endurance Test in Easton 10:00 AM
August 29 – Leadership Clinic following Endurance Test
September 02 – Tiny Tigers Test: Easton
September 02 – Colored Belt Test: Easton
September 04 – First Friday: Classes in Fountain Park – TBA
September 07 – Labor Day Holiday – Closed
September 08-11 – Back-2-School Bring-A-Buddy Week
September 12 – Mid-Atlantic All Female Open
September 18 – JUDO Clinics: Easton
September 19 – JUDO Intensive: Easton
September 25 – Weapons Clinics at 6:45 PM
September 26 – Advanced Testing Prep Clinic 1:00 PM in Chestertown
October 02 – TBA
October 03 – Advanced Testing in Chestertown at 10:00 AM
October 09 – ITF Master’s Training – Monroeville, PA
October 10 – ITF Master’s Training/Testing – Monroeville, PA
October 16 – JUDO Clinics in Chestertown
October 17 – Advanced Testing in Odenton, MD
October 23 – Weapons Clinic
October 24 – TBA
October 30 – Halloween Costume Class and Party (No Glitter, please)
October 31 – Halloween Parade in Chestertown
**Tentative Schedule, check weekly updates to confirm clinics/workshops**
**Dates MAY and often DO Change. We will keep you informed
**Beyond this point, NO Guarantees on Schedule Accuracy (It can/will change)
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!
You Need 3 Daily Wins
- A Physical Win: Walking, Running, Swimming, Exercise…
- A Mental Win: Reading, Writing, Creating, Learning…
- A Spiritual Win: Praying, Meditating, Studying, Gowing…
Be A Complete Winner – Unknown
…Tang Soo Do Covers ALL of these!
The Old Days of Karate: “In the old days of karate (Tang Soo Do), there were no explanations, only the instruction to follow the Sensei (Sa Bom Nim) in silence. There was no room for questions. I was always wondering ‘why’ about everything. That was the way it was, each one (person) had to reach understanding on their own through their own body. That was the old school. What used to take 10 years to understand, can now be learned in three years. But what is easy to learn is also easy to forget.” – Hirokazu Kanazawa
Tang Soo Do Terminology
Did you know that our Belts have an animal representation?
White/Yellow/Orange = Tiger
Green = Dragon
Red (and Royal Blue) = Phoenix
Midnight Blue (Black) = Turtle
Tang Soo Do is 50% Hands, 50% Feet, and 100% Hips.
Tang Soo Do Terminology: Pyeong Ahn
Pyeong평 = Well Balanced, Calm, Peaceful
Ahn 안 = Safe, Confident, Comfortable
The 5 Pyeong Ahn forms are generally referred to as THE “Calm and Comfortable” Forms
Climb the Mountain…not so that the World can see you, but so that you can see the World.
Tang Soo Do Terminology
Did you know that our Belts have an Elemental representation?
White/Yellow/Orange = Metal
Green = Wood
Red (and Royal Blue) = Fire
Midnight Blue (Black) = Water
It may seem Difficult at First, but All things are Difficult First. – Miyamoto Musashi
Tang Soo Do Terminology
Did you know that our Belts have an Seasonal representation?
White/Yellow/Orange = Winter
Green = Spring
Red (and Royal Blue) = Summer
Midnight Blue (Black) = Fall
Losers Quit when they Fail… Winners Fail until they Succeed.
About the Author: phoenixpersonalfitness
