Trophy news from Santa Clarita Magazine…
Karate Team Takes Home Nine Trophies!
karate trophies
Congratulations to the karate team of the City’s Newhall Community Center. On January 24, the nine members competed at the 2009 IMAC USA Martial Arts Winter Olympics in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team brought back a total of nine trophies, taking five first place trophies, two-second place trophies and two fourth place trophies.
Over 1,500 participants from as far as Canada and Mexico displayed their martial arts skills in the prestigious IMAC competition. The competition was intense, but every member from the Community Center’s karate team, representing the City of Santa Clarita managed to place in the tournament. The team members who competed and took home trophies include Yohana Neri, Karen Celis, Jonathan Perez, Yareli Cervantes, Kelly Cervantes, Jennifer Perez, Carlos Cazares, Mark Bradby and Ruben Caldera.
Volunteer instructor Dave Moreno teaches the karate program, one of the Center’s most popular programs. “Dave has led the karate sessions for the past three years and he devotes an average of ten hours each week teaching his classes” states Efren Galindo, Sports Coordinator for the Community Center, “The karate program teaches participants fundamental martial arts techniques and emphasizes life lessons about respect, leadership, and building character. In a an impressive display, every member of the community center’s competition karate team managed to place in the tournament!” In addition to martial arts training, students in the program learn self-confidence, respect, integrity, discipline and a can-do attitude that will stick with them for life. “The City is extremely proud of the accomplishments of the young people involved in the Center’s karate program and appreciates the outstanding volunteerism of their instructor Dave Moreno, who gives of his time regularly to build champions and to inspire youth to be responsible, confident young people both in the karate arena and in life,” states Hope Horner, Community Services Administrator.
The Newhall Community Center is funded and staffed by the City of Santa Clarita and is located at 22421 Market Street. For more information about the Newhall Community Center karate program, its accomplishments or team photos, please contact Efren Galindo, Sports Coordinator, at 661-286-4006 extension 5055.
Originally posted by Stephanie Elgin.
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