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Reston

Tae Kwon Do

We have a NEW WTKDC Black Belt!

Black Belt candidate and senior student at the Reston location, Andrew Butts has officially retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and is now an official WTKDC Black Belt.

This past September, in a formal military ceremony at the Pentagon's Joint Staff Flag Room, Colonel Butts received numerous awards, gifts, praises and accolades from a room loaded with Admirals, Generals and honored guests.

Any now, "Andy", as we all call him, is the First student from our Reston location to become a WTKDC Black.  For the last six years, Andy has been a role model to several youth and young adults in Reston.  His quiet demeanor and calm voice has made him a big success with our younger kids at the center.  Andy was the first student from the Reston location to compete in a martial arts tournament, winning 2nd place at the Future Leaders of America Tournament, Hosted by Juan Davis.

On Friday, November 9, 2007, Andy was presented his Black Belt at the International Hall of Honor Photo Session, where more than 150 Black Belts from all over the World came together for a conference, seminars, workshops and banquet.  He also received a special award at the Black Tie Banquet and Dinner on Saturday evening.

A dedicated husband and a true family man, Andy is a leader to all of our students and a true necessity to the students at the Reston location.  He makes sure that everything and everyone is well organized and that all matters are kept in order. 

Now that he has retired, he has begun to grow his beard and has let his hair become just a slight bit longer, giving us a different look when he come to Tae Kwon Do class.  He recently a 3,000 mile "Road Trip" on his new Harley Davidson Touring motorcycle riding from Virginia to Ohio and then from Ohio to Florida and back to Virginia.

New WTKDC Black Belt, Andy Butts stands with Master Wyatt and some of the top martial artists in the country at his International Hall of Honor induction ceremony, in Hanover, Maryland.

Above: Andy displays his new Harley Touring bike that he rode more than 3,000 miles, from Virginia to Ohio and then from Ohio to Florida and back to Virginia on.

Right: Black Belt Candidate, Andy Butts, stands with his youngest son, Ryan, his wife "Mindy" and his oldest son Andrew at this Retirement ceremony at the Pentagon.

Andy sports his new "Biker Look", as he rides his Harley.  It's a bit different from the staunch, Air Force officer look, isn't?

For More Photos of Andy's Black Belt Presentation, Click Here

The First Reston Fall Outdoor Workshop was a BIG Success!

Master Wyatt lectures his group on safety techniques

Thanks to the support of several of the parents and the students, the 1st annual Reston Fall Outdoor Workshop was a complete success.  More than 45 youth and adults joined us for our fall workout where we worked on kicks, forms, and of course, self defense.

Lots of parents joined in and several students brought their friends.  After the three hour workout (which went by very quickly), we enjoyed some delicious ethnic foods that were provided by the parents.  Everyone is looking forward to the 1st Annual Spring Outdoor Workshop, which will be held in late March/early April of 2008. Check out some of the workshop pictures by clicking on this link.

Yummy, yummy, for my tummy!

Master Wyatt was treated to some delicious "Birthday" brownies that were baked by Mrs. Thomas, wife of Green Belt, Alan Thomas in honor of Master Wyatt's birthday.  Alan and his wife delivered the treats to Master Wyatt just before Alan won two 1st place trophies in the Adult Forms and Fighting divisions at the JW Spring Classics Martial Arts Tournament in Springdale, Maryland!

Our Oldest Student Achieves His White Belt

At 72 years old, Min Tok Kim shows everyone that it is never too late to achieve a long time desire.

Mr. Kim was just one of the students who passed their requirements for their next belt level.  He was also joined by 8th Gup Gold Belt, Whitney Walesewicz, 7th Gup Gold Belt, Gregory Fischer, 5th Gup Green Belts, Ewan Kay, Alexander Seto, Stephanie Seto and Alan Thomas, and 1st Gup Brown, Andrew Butts, who will be testing for his Black Belt in the Fall.  Congratulations goes out to all of them.

In her first time out... White Belt, Rebecca Jiang places in the top four of a National Martial Arts Event!

At age 11, the soft spoken Rebecca is on track for becoming one of the shining stars at our Reston location.  In her first time out to a martial arts tournament, Rebecca placed 3rd behind two national rated competitors (including one of our own students, Trey Thorne) at the World Series of Martial Arts National Martial Arts Tournament.  No other female youth student at the WTKDC has accomplished this since 7th Gup Green Belt, Stephanie Seto did it two years ago.

Rebecca started her Tae Kwon Do training last year, when she saw our class training after her Young Actors’ Theater class on Saturday mornings, and wanted to take the class so that she could learn to defend herself.  Master Wyatt says that she has a lot of natural talent and discipline, and the mechanics of Tae Kwon Do seem to come rather easy for her.  She trains ard in class and in addition to classroom training, she works out in her spare time with her TKD classmate, Valentina Golac.

Also in her spare time, Rebecca takes gymnastics, plays the viola, and likes to make beaded jewelry, and is an Honor Roll Student.

Rebecca says that her parents and Master Wyatt are her role models.  In her quote, she says “Don’t wait for something to happen. Everyone else is waiting for you.”

Be sure to look for her being one of our Champion Student representatives.

Our Tallest Students Show Their Stuff at the

National World Series of Martial Arts Tournament

Two of our Tallest Students

Five feet, 11 inch Ewan Kay, the tallest WTKDC Youth Student and 6 feet 6 inch, Alan Thomas, the tallest Adult Student, show off their winnings from Charlie Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Tournament,  in Reston, Virginia.

Ewan won 3rd Place in Forms and 4th Place in Weapons (only behind two other WTKDC Students) and Alan Thomas won 1st Place in Fighting and 2nd Place in Forms at the National Martial Arts Tournament, which was held in Reston, Virginia.

Ewan and Alan are two of the 10 students from the WTKDC who competed and won in their respective divisions.  Once again showing that their hard work, dedication, and commitment to training pays off.

Everyone Makes The Grade At Reston

The Reston Students are truly making the grade in their academic schools.  All of the youth students have made their school's honor role requirements and several of them made the honor roll with All A's.  Just as impressive, a couple of the students missed the near perfect mark with all A's and one B (penmanship) or all A's and a B+ .

The students received their WTKDC Honor Stripes and were given their specific rank priviledges.  We are excited about this as Master Wyatt is looking forward to the next and final report period of the year.

The Washington Tae Kwon Do Spirit REALLY Shows in Reston!

Six Feet 6 inch, Gold Belt, Alan Thomas proudly shows the Washington Tae Kwon Do Spirit by sporting his personalized Virginia License plate that displays the school's initials...WTKDC.

Alan says he got them because he is proud to be a member of our organization and they were available.  Alan, who is now at the rank of 6th Green belt, will be tesing for the rak of 5th Gup Grren Belt this Spring.

Gold belt Alan Thomas stands along side of his car that proudly sports the tags bearing the school's initials...WTKDC

The Reston Class is getting bigger, stronger and ready to perform!

The Reston location of the WTKDC is getting larger and also getting a lot more recognition.    As a result of our hard work, and the dedication of the students and their parents, the school is now considered to be one of the premier Tae Kwon Do schools in the Fairfax County area.

Several of the students have performed in demonstrations and also have won 1st place honors at several major martial arts tournaments in the region including Charlie Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Tournament and Dennis Brown's, U.S. Capitol Classics.  In addition, ALL of the youth students are Honor Roll Students in their regular academic school.

The Reston Students are also involved in all types of activities outside of dojang like music, art, sports and so much more.  Sixteen year old Lisa Fisher (pictured above with Master Wyatt) is a tremenous vocalist.  Her choir has performed at a number of exclusive locations including the Kennedy Center.  They also produced a beautiful Christmas CD.

The leadership is assisted by Brown Belt Adult, Andrew Butts and Green Belt, Alan Thomas.  These two lead the class and carry on activities when Master Wyatt is otherwise occupied. 

Master Wyatt instructs two of his sharpest female youth white belt students, Marsha (left) and Valentina (right) on perfecting the fighting skills

 

They both have competed in several martial arts tournaments and demonstrations.  In addition, they both put a lot of intensity and determination into each and every technique, and have represented Reston WTKDC with the utmost honor and sportsmanship.

The work is extremely hard at the Reston facility, but the students have never failed to meet the challenge.

 White Belt, Stephanie Seto

  wins the YOUTH FORMS

 GRANDCHAMPIONSHIP

  at her first "National"

  Tournament!

Recently, history was once again made for the Washington Tae Kwon Do Club; but this time the history making students came from the Reston location.  Gold Belt, Stephanie Seto ran away the the Youth GrandChampionship at Alopo Ladra's Maryland Open National Martial Arts Tournament, in Essex, Maryland, winning not only the GrandChampion Trophy, but also a $500.00 Savings Bond.

Her brother, Alex Seto also participated and was a finalist in the 15 to 17 year old sparring division and in the top 4 in the Forms division.

Twelve year old, Ewan Kay took 2nd place in Beginner Sparring and was 3rd in the Forms division.

Each of them said that they were nervous in the beginning, but that soon went away once the competition began.  Also, each of them are straight "A" honor students at their academic school.

Their parents and Master Wyatt are very proud to have these future leaders as part of our winning team in Reston.  Our next tournament will by Master Wyatt's own tournament event...The JW Spring Classics, in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Stephanie Seto gives an outstanding performance on her Form "Dan Gun" to

win the GrandChampion honors at Apolo Ladra's Maryland Open National Tournament in Essex, Maryland.