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The Southwest Region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation held its 3^rd annual Dan Shim Sa (black belt test) and Championships November 13-15. Kwan Jang Nim St. James, International Master Deborah Jett, and Senior Master Michael Jett traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to help host activities. Senior Master Mark Farquharson traveled from Aurora, Colorado to help as well. Regional school owners and their students from Thunderbird Martial Arts, Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Tang Soo Do, Aurora, CO; Abilene Karate Academy, Abilene, TX; and DFW Tang Soo Do, Ft. Worth, TX; made the trip to participate. West Texas Karate, Lubbock, TX, hosted the weekend’s events.

As I sit down to write this article about another

The Southwest Region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its first Leadership Camp from June 12-14. The Leadership Camp was held at Plains Baptist Assembly in Floydada, Texas with 75 in attendance, including masters, instructors, instructor assistants, and students from the region. The weekend was kicked off with a dan shim sa (black belt test) on Friday night. While the dan shim sa was taking place, non-testers enjoyed an early dinner, and training in open hand forms and hand techniques. This first year’s theme was, “Build. Grow. Lead.” as the region focused on building and growing future leaders of the Federation.

Mind. Body. Spirit. These three words are carved into the stone that make up part of the red brick edifice of the Judd Gym our weekend Dojang at Springfield College. While it could never have been envisaged how appropriate a motto it would be when the building was constructed in 1894, it was a fitting reminder on entry for the New England Tang Soo Do students who worked out here for the 2015 New England Regional Black Belt Camp. For the last three years we have been blessed to have the backdrop and use of the facilities of Springfield College for our camp and with the fine weather we have been accustomed to on this particular weekend of the year, the picturesque campus has been an excellent temporary home for us.

On the weekend of May 24th – 26th, the southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation had its spring cycle Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt test) and review, as well as its annual championships in Flowery Branch, Georgia. As always, it was a great opportunity to renew friendships, test ourselves and strengthen our Tang Soo spirit.

The Southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation had its annual Instructor’s Symposium, Black Belt Camp, and Dan Shim Sa on the weekend of November 7 – 9, 2014. Everything was held once again at Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap, AL. The Instructor Training Symposium (ITS) & Camp started on Friday morning November 7th at 9am. We had 200 Masters, instructors, instructor trainees & students coming together for the weekend to learn, grow, and share.

On July 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th 2014, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its annual Ko Dan Ja Master’s Clinic and National Championships. The events took place at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA.

As I sit here and reflect over the past week of events, I am again struck by the experience. The physical and mental challenges of the Masters clinic, the excitement of seeing old friends and meeting new ones, the thrill of seeing martial arts preformed at the highest level, the pride in seeing students step out of their comfort zone and face their own challenges. It was again an extremely rewarding experience.