DeKalb Students Test for Black Belt Ranks

April 10, 2022
By: Bill Conger

Three students from Middle Tennessee Tae Kwon Do in Smithville participated in the United States Chung Do Kwan Black Belt Exam at the 2022 National Taekwondo Conference on March 17 in Oviedo, Florida. Jacob Harrell tested for 1st degree black belt. Bane Averitte tested for 2nd degree black while Amy Lloyd tested for 3rd degree black belt. Madison Lack and Ivanny Earlington tested for 1st degree black belt last August in Louisville, KY, bringing to five the number of students who have tested for their black belt ranks the last six months. Master George Lloyd explains that students train from 3 to 5 years to attain a 1st degree black belt.

“Some of our students have overcome personal issues to make it to the black belt testing,” Lloyd says. “We are extremely proud of them all.”

“A black belt represents that you are a champion of his or her weaknesses,” says Lloyd. “Skill and mentality of black belt shows they understand the basics of the martial art and when to and when not to use their skills. As for each strip on the black belt, the skill mentality and understanding of the martial art increases for that student There is a long list of physical and mental activities each student at each rank must perform under stressful conditions. The students train for years to demonstrate their skills and abilities. Each higher black belt rank must perform the lower ranks material and then their new material. It can become a grueling test of stamina.”

“The average black belt testing takes 3 to 6 hours. The list of required material for testing includes a term paper, a training portfolio documenting their training, Basic fundamentals, Advanced fundamentals, One steps, Forms Free sparing, Takedowns, Self-defense, and Weapons self-defense. At the end of it all the students must do 1 minute of push-ups, 60 seconds of sit-ups, and 5 minutes of running.”

Student undergo a pre-testing to determine if they are ready for the formal black belt exam. Each activity gets a number score for an overall possible score of 100. 90 to 100 is an A, 80 to 90 is a B, and 70 to 80 is a C. Lloyd says the average score is a C+ to a B-. Lloyd says all of his students that tested completed their black belt exams above average.

“Our black belt testing requires multiple masters to sit on the testing board and to agree that the students meet the requirements,” Lloyd adds. “We also follow the United States Chung Do Kwon rules for testing, and those rules come from Korea. There are 9 colored belts to black belt, and all the fun training comes after students make black belt. There are 10 black belt ranks and a different set of training objectives for each rank.”

The Tennessee State Championships will be April 30, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., at the DeKalb County Community Complex. Competitors are registered from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. The tournament is open for the public to come watch.

April 9, 2022
By:

The DeKalb County Republican Party will be hosting a “Meet the Candidates Night” on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 6PM at the DeKalb County Complex. Each of the Republican candidates will have an opportunity to speak and voters will have an opportunity to meet them one-on-one.

“We have some great Republican Candidates running this year and we are glad to provide this important event for voters in DeKalb County,” Chairman Dustin Estes said. “For the first time, Republican voters in DeKalb County will have an opportunity to select their candidates at the ballot box. And with Early Voting beginning the next day, and Election Day three weeks from the event, there is no better time for voters to educate themselves on the conservative candidates running for office.”

Ealy Voting for the 2022 DeKalb County Republican Primary Election is Wednesday, April 13 through Thursday, April 28, and Election Day is Tuesday, May 3. Sample ballots are available through the DeKalb County Election Commission website: www.dekalbelections.com. The DeKalb County Republican Party will have additional events as we approach the County General Election in August.

For more information on this event and more, go to our Facebook Page at DeKalb County Republican Party.

April 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Schools Transportation Department has earned an “Award of Excellence” from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“This award is given out for bus garages that show improvement in all areas of safety for school buses,” said Craig Wilkerson, THP state trooper school bus inspector. “Each bus is given a thorough inspection every year. If each bus passes with no major defects then these mechanics deserve to be recognized. The hard work of each team member, mechanics, bus supervisor, and administrative personnel displays their dedication for safety for each and every child in DeKalb County,” said Trooper Wilkerson. “Not every county will earn this award so it is special when we can present it to those who deserve it,” he added.

Pictured left to right: Trooper Craig Wilkerson, Central Office staffer Jamie Vickers, School Transportation staffers Zack Adams, Michael Agee, and James “Weasel” Wilkerson, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, and Trooper David Hickey. Not pictured- THP Sergeant Kent Norris.

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