Nidan
“I started my journey with Okinawan Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate with bringing my son Logan to a 4-week Orrington Recreation class. He liked it so much we enrolled him into the youth class that was being held in Hermon. I joined that following spring in 2015. Karate has been a constant in my life over the last number of years. It has given me and my son so much in the sense of family, community, discipline, and self-confidence. Throughout my karate journey it has never been about wanting my next rank. It has been about the work to get there. It’s the thrill of constantly learning and being challenged. Being able to study and understand all the techniques and bunkai (practical applications of those techniques). The physical and mental practice and always having room to improve is what drives me.
I love working with kids. The best karate classes I have are the ones where I can work with and help others get better or see their techniques in a different way. It is a great joy for me to be able to share the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down to me from our Sensei’s and all the other amazing Sempai’s we have in our dojo.
I received my Shodon in October of 2020. It was a great honor and achievement but also only the beginning of my Karate Journey. I look forward to being able to teach and share and help the dojo grow.” – David Stephens
Sempai Dave earned his Karate Instructor certification on October 1, 2022 and his Nidan in Karate on June 16, 2023.