Meets Mondays and Thursdays in the Former Church at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
In November, 1982, Bob Wright, a second degree black belt and a Green Beret veteran of the Vietnam war, announced in the church bulletin of a karate class forming at Holy Name. The first class had about 200 participants, however, after four weeks, there were 12. Of those twelve, five were granted their first-degree black belts in July 1986. They received their belts and certificates from Master Shian Toma, Grandmaster of the Seidokan system of Okinawa.
Today, the class has 21 black belt instructors and an enrollment of 35 students. The class meets on Mondays and Thursdays in the Former Church beginning at 6:00 p.m. Adults and children work together, due to the many families participating. We stress discipline and respect, and promote self-confidence. It normally takes 5 years of dedicated commitment to attain The Black Belt in our system.
Since Sensei Bob Wright taught the class free of charge, we continue the tradition. However, we currently ask for a donation of $50 per year, to be used for the class and/or a donation to the Church at Christmas time.
The HNJ Karate class also conducts self-defense presentations to scout troops, youth groups and other groups interested in a “Be Safe” program. The presentation includes a lecture and simple escape techniques.
