How can I begin to thank you and your wonderful staff for what you have given to me over these many, many years?

1. Unending support and encouragement
   
2. Unending sprit which is highly contagious
   
3. An unending supply of role models who inspire commitment and dedication and sharing
   
4. Unending opportunities for personal growth and development  

While I had the desire and commitment to achieve black belt, I did not believe it was possible. You made me believe it could happen and it did! Besides the physical aspects of the martial arts, there is so much more you have taught me that carry forward into every aspect of my life.

1. The Endurance - thanks you for pushing me so far beyond hat I thought I could do. And, even now, just when I absolutely think I can't do something, thank you for continuing to encourage me to try again. It is clear to me now that the impossible is possible. 
2. The Humility & Respect - working with so many people at all levels of progress brings home how much we all have to learn from each other. I have never forgotten what it felt like to walk through those doors 10 years ago; how far I have come along; and how much farther there is to go for all of us.
3. Commitment and sharing - while we all share the same goal of black belt, it is really an individual commitment. When you test, it is as an individual. And yet, it is inspiring to work with people [students and staffs] who go to great lengths to help each other achieve that goal when there is no requirement to do so.
4. The Confidence - I was able to achieve black belt by focusing on each step as it came along and working through each obstacle before going to the next. Looking back, it is now easy to see that it took great courage to overcome the many hurdles presented over that long period of time. Now when I face challenges or issues in other aspects of my life and start getting that feeling that I can't succeed or endure it, I draw on that courage and know that if I could do what it takes for black belt, I can definitely face whatever is before me at the time. You have taught me that believing is more than half the battle!

What you have given to me will last a life time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Sincerely,
Barb Davis
2nd Dan