Brookwood Forest -
Mondays and Wednesdays
9:30-11 AM
Lunchroom
start: June 7 end (testing): July 14
Inverness -
Mondays and Wednesdays
3:00-4:30 PM
Oak Mountain Intermediate School
start: June 2 end (testing): July 28
Bio:
Currently a Senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Majoring in Biology,
with a Minor in Chemistry and Spanish.
Expected Graduation Date: August 2007
Hopes and Wishes: to enter the 5th Year Master’s Program in Biology, to be accepted
into the University of Alabama School of Medicine.
Received my 2nd Degree Black Belt on December 9, 2006
Received my 1st Degree Black Belt on February 11, 2006
Has been an assistant instructor since September 2004.
Instructors I have helped:
*YonDan Cheryl Schrimscher, (Mountain Brook Elementary from September 2004-May
2005)
*YonDan Jill Cagle, (Brookwood Forest Elementary from September
2005-May 2006)
*SanDan Jason Stephens, (Valley Intermediate from August 2005-May 2006,
Springville Elementary/Middle from June 2006-Current, Centerpoint Kid’s Class from
approximately December 2005-Current)
Participated in tournaments and has received 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in katas,
weapons, and sparring divisions.
Personal:
How my training started:
If you would have asked me 3 years ago what I thought of karate, I would have told
you that I thought it was stupid. I just could not see the reason for people screaming
(what I now know is called a kiya). My boyfriend, Jason Stephens, started training
under Sensei Rayburn Nichols in June of 2003. I did not agree with it. Jason wanted
me to train with him, and I just laughed. Needless to say, I was still supportive,
and showed up to watch some of his karate classes.
In January of 2004, Sensei approached me and told me that I needed to join. So I did.
Jason would help me with everything I needed to know for my testings. By the time I
had my first testing (April 2004), I learned to enjoy karate. I had met some lifelong
friends and had learned how to tone my body. A lot of people get discouraged when they
join karate because they do not feel that they are losing weight. In reality, you are
losing weight but also toning your body simultaneously (so the weight on the scale seems
to never disappear). Nevertheless, I continued to train, and upon receiving my blue belt
in April, I knew that karate was slowly becoming my passion.
I received my 1st kyu brown belt in December of 2004 (less than a year since I had started
training), and was looking forward to testing for my black belt in August of 2005. But that
did not happen according to plan. I became pregnant and could not test when I was able to.
I never let me being pregnant become a handicap. I continued to train as well as helping
teach karate up until I was 8 months pregnant. After I had my son, I started training four
weeks later. And for anybody who has just had a baby, let me tell you that losing
that baby fat is one of the hardest things to do, but karate has helped me lose it
(and in a healthy way!).
So I encourage anyone who has not taken karate to do so!
Why wouldn’t you when it is so good for your body? And not only that, but you meet
people that you will never forget and the dojo feels like home away from home!
Favorite Quote: "Have patience with all things, but first of all
with yourself."
-St. Francis de Sales
Class Schedule: Brookwood Forest Elementary School
Wednesday & Friday
Beginners 3-4:30
Advanced 4:30-5:30 Class Photos
Inverness Elementary
Tuesdays and Thursdays
3-4 PM Class Photos
