Shihan KC Lavallee

Shihan's KC & Haley with Dashi Bob Young

I admit it, I'm a total sucker for this martial arts thing. Today, our reincarnated school had its first Black Belt Promotion as Elite Force Martial Arts.  And to top that, Kim Colvin, aka Master KC, was promoted today to a sixth dan and given the title Shihan.  What do I have to say to that? How about:
Na-na-na-na, na-na, na
Na-na-na-na na-naNa-na-na-na, na-na, naNa-na-na-na na-na(yes, that's the lyrics from Pink).

It was a real celebration of achievement and determination.  Achieving a black belt is a great  challenge for so many people and the Spectacular is a celebration of their success. The celebration was performed  with skill, professionalism, and more than a few touches of humor and irony. Frankly, it was a lot of fun. And life is supposed to be a lot of fun. I was proud to be part of it.  Well done to all involved! You rock!

Dashi Bob Young, Professor Tim Barchard,
Debbie Thompson, and Teri Lee

MC Coach Boland!

Shihan KC Kim Colvin was promoted (ordained? anointed?  what's the right word) by Dashi Bob Young, 10th dan. In attendence were other martial arts elite from other schools: Professor Tim Barchard, Laura Barchard, Debbie Thompson , and Teri Lee. (And at least one other's whose name I missed!)
Dashi Bob Young  is a 10th Degree Black Belt in the art of Aiki Kempo and a black belt in Tai Chi Chuan. He has developed his own recognized system of Aiki Kenpo. His school is Eastern Dragaon karate.  He was visiting from New Hampshire. He's the guy in the  black gi in the middle. And smiling.
Teri Lee is a 7th degree with Ernie Reyes. She visited from Sunnyvale California.  She's in the white gi, brunette, and smiling.
  Professor Timothy Barchard holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt in Aiki Kempo, 5th Degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo, a Level 3 (Kru) in Muay Thai under Kru Mark DellaGrotte, and a black belt in BJJ awarded in 2011 by Master Renzo Gracie.He's the guy in the black gi on the left. Smiling.
Debbie Thompson...high level belt...Tristar  in MD? formerly? Black gi, blond lady. Smiling. Anybody help?
Not pictured:  Sensei Laura Barchard has a third degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate, a second degree black belt in Thai Kickboxing, and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I'm sure she's smiling too. 

I'd appreciate any help in getting the titles and backgrounds of the visitors recorded properly! And I apologize for the errors and omissions.

The event was hosted and MC'd by our own Coach Boland. It was held at the Westminster School.  Other high level promotions:

Sensei Craig Haley, 6th dan of Lighthouse Point, became Shihan Craig Haley.
Melissa Haley, 3rd degree, Lighthouse Point,became Sensei Haley. 
Mr Mike Sweeney, Chief Instructor and 3rd degree of Boca, became Sensei Mike Sweeney. Hoorah for Mike!
Chief Instructor 3rd degree Vince Pratico became Sensei Vince Pratico. More hoorahs!