Stay for your second and get a knife.

[Fred.Rowe]

I know this is terribly off topic and belongs on some martial web site; but, the world gets so much bad press about the youth of America, that I wanted to share this with my friends and associates here to demonstrate that there is another side to America's youth.

I run a small dojo in the basement of my house. Young people, from the surrounding area, have come here to train for the last 13 years. I take them at 11 or 12 years of age and it takes around 41/2 years to make 1st degree black belt. Most of them have stayed on and help teach the new ones as they come.
I have graduated nine, seven are still here. If they stay long enough to make second degree, I present them with a knife from my forge. By the time they make second degree, they are 18 or 19 years old and are ready to go out into the world with confidence on their side.
The pics are from last nights black belt ceremonies, where two students made 1st degree and two were promoted to second degree and received there knives.
After the class was over, I went upstairs and told my wife; " there is hope for the future and it is in those young people downstairs.

Fred

 

[Troop]

Nice incentive program, Fred.:thumbup: Good work with the kids.
- Mitch

 

[Barkes Knife Shop]

Boy I'm happy I didn't give you any lip when you came over back in the summer. (Just joking) Very awesome looking photos of the group. Thanks for posting your capabilities. And I will be more cautious the next time I see you out there. And is that a Black Belt or Brown? --- :thumbup::jerkit:

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Boy I'm happy I didn't give you any lip when you came over back in the summer. (Just joking) Very awesome looking photos of the group. Thanks for posting your capabilities. And I will be more cautious the next time I see you out there. And is that a Black Belt or Brown? --- :thumbup::jerkit:

I'm a puppy dog; it's my wife you want to watch.

Fred

 

[fitzo]

Well done, Fred. Kudos for making the world a better place!:thumbup:

 

[John R. Fraps]

Working with youngsters to grow into more successful adults has got to be so gratifying for you Fred. Thank-You for sharing!

 

[steelshaper]

That is a great thing you are doing for those kids. If more people found time to work with kids in their area the world would be a much better place. Thank you for making the effort!