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Master Rick Rando
Master Rick Rando is President and Owner of Kick Masters Karate, LLC in Frostburg, Maryland. A traditional taekwondo practitioner for the past 24 years, Rando owns one of the largest, open-space martial arts schools in the country. Master Rando began his karate training in 1988 and started instructing at the age of 14. In 1998, he earned “disciple” status, and became the system’s “head instructor” under founder Mr. Ronald W. Burner. In September of 2000, Master Rando became Co-Owner of Kick Masters and became one of the youngest, martial arts studio executives in the United States. In January of 2005, Master Rando became the sole owner and President of Kick Masters Karate, and three months later, was awarded the title of “State Director” through the I.T.A (Independent Taekwondo Association). He is currently a fifth degree black belt endorsed by martial arts legend, Grandmaster Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and just recently was awarded “Master Instructor” status.
During his martial arts career, Rando has stayed quite active. He’s graduated from Karate College in Radford, VA and from the Danny Lane’s Superstars Karate Camp in Ripley, WV. Master Rando has trained at various martial arts seminars hosted by world martial arts champions such as Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, 5-time Olympic Judo Champion Mike Swain, Grandmaster John Pellegrini, Grandmaster Joe Lewis, Master Tom Callos, Master Dave Kovar, Grandmaster Femio Demura, UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, Grandmaster Ernie Reyes, Olympic Gold Medalist Herb Perez, and Jiu-jitsu Master Royce Gracie to name a few. A former member of the Stars and Stripes Demo Team, Master Rando himself has conducted thousands of demonstrations and martial arts programs in the local school system, and in the business and surrounding local communities. He’s been a featured speaker at hundreds of events, including the “Living Self Directed Lives through the Principles of Self Determination” Seminar, Frostburg State University’s Distinguished Scholar Dinner, the Positive Guidance Seminar for the Allegany County Childcare Professionals Association, the Western Maryland Guidance Conference, the Belt Leadership Summit, the Annual Safety Summit for the Columbia Gas Corporation, the 63rd Annual Dapper Dan Sports Awards Dinner, at FSU’s “Leadership Conference”, and at the 10th Annual MASupershow in Las Vegas.
More specifically, he has created and implemented several curriculums throughout the martial arts community including the “Bully Busters Program” for victims in elementary school, the “Little Dragons Program” for pre-schoolers, “Leadership Training” for children with low levels of confidence, the “Stranger Danger” Program, Corporate TEAM Building for business professionals, the “Children’s Summer Karate Camp”, a martial arts unit through the Adventure Sports Program at Allegany High School, and has created a special Self-defense Curriculum for students with physical challenges.
Featured in Black Belt Magazine (January 2011), Master Rando is currently a member of MAIA (the Martial Arts Industry Association) and a member of the Allegany County Schools “Character Counts” Program. He recently graduated from the Disney Institute: Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence program, and has earned the “Gold and Platinum Level Mark of Excellence Awards” by Century Martial Arts for the past four consecutive years. An accomplished author, Master Rando has penned two cover articles featured in MASuccess Magazine and has appeared on the cover of both Allegany Magazine (May/June 2009) and MASuccess Magazine (December 2010). Earlier in his career, Rando was asked to represent the United States as a member of the National Junior Karate Team performing in Cuba. In 2004 and 2006 he was awarded the Dream Catcher Award through the Arc of Frederick for working with persons with disabilities, and in 2007, conducted two Tae Kwon Do Seminars/Demonstrations in the country of Thailand as part of a cultural enrichment program. He’s a previous member of the Speakers Bureau with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, is a current member of the Allegany County Student Business Advisory Committee, and is a part time personal trainer. |
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Mrs. Julie O'Connor
Mrs. Julie O’Connor, 1st Degree Black Belt, has been training at Kick Masters Karate since 1992. She is currently the Senior Black Belt assisting with instruction of the traditional Tae Kwon Do classes under owner/proprietor 5th Dan Master Rick Rando. Mrs. O’Connor developed and instructs the system’s Women’s Self-defense Classes, and is the founder of the cardio kick boxing program. Mrs. O'Connor was selected as Kick Masters Black Belt of the Year in 2005, the system highest honor to be bestowed upon an Instructor. Since earning the rank of Black Belt, Mrs. O'Connor has extolled the virtues of martial arts in demonstration/presentations at several “D.A.R.E.” (Student Drug Awareness) graduations as well as many self-defense demonstrations. She has also created and taught several after-school programs with a karate/fitness theme. Mrs. O'Connor has also attended the Martial Arts Supershow in both 2009 and 2011 repectfully. She enjoys working with the kids’ classes especially. “It’s fantastic to watch the kids improve in character and strength through our system. It is tremendously satisfying work.” Mrs. O’Connor is currently employed as a Chemist/Water Quality Analyst with the Maryland Department of the Environment. |
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Mr. Jared D. Lancaster
Mr. Jared D. Lancaster is a 3rd Dan in the Kick Masters Karate System. At the age of four, Mr. Lancaster attended the “Pee Wee” Classes, under then titled, Western Masters Karate System, instructed by Mr. Ronald Burner. At the age of seven, he entered the Mainstream Program. In 1998, Mr. Lancaster successfully passed the karate system’s first ever Black Belt Board of Review, and in May of the same year, achieved the rank of Junior Black Belt. While a Junior Black Belt, Mr. Lancaster assisted with the instruction of the Teenage/Adult Classes, the Black and Brown Belt Classes, and the Sparring Classes. In 2003, he earned the rank of Adult Black Belt, in 2006 earned the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt, and in 2009 earned the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt. Mr. Lancaster has training with many top martial artists outside of Kick Masters. In 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009 he attended the MAIA Martial Arts Supershow in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he trained with martial arts legends such as Grand Master Bill Wallace and Xtreme Martial Arts creator Mr. Mike Chat, as well as Mixed Martial Arts greats Master Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes, and Chuck Liddell. In October of 2007, Mr. Lancaster traveled to Thailand with Master Rando and conducted two Tae Kwon Do seminars in the city of Khon Khen. Mr. Lancaster was awarded the Kick Masters Karate Black Belt of the year award in 2007. One of Kick Masters’ best instructors, Mr. Lancaster currently assists with the Black/Brown Belt class, Teen/Adult and Sparring Classes. He also assists with extra activities within the system such as the Overnight Campout, Karate Boot Kamp, and the Black Belt Charity Auction. |
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Ms. Jessica Paolucci
Ms. Jessica Paolucci is the youngest and first ever female to achieve the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt at Kick Masters Karate. One of our most dynamic Adult Black Belts, Ms. Paolucci certainly leads by example. Earning the rank of Junior Black Belt in May of 2005 and Second Degree Junior Black Belt in June of 2006, she has been a part of the Kick Masters family for the past nine years and has loved every minute. Extremely dedicated to the art and the dojo, she helps out wherever she is needed and does an outstanding job. The Black/Brown Belt, Sparring, and Teen/Adult Classes are where she can be found instructing, however she also teaches regular private lessons to various students, both inside and outside the dojo. She was also selected as KMK's Black Belt of the Year for 2006, an honor highly regarded among the Black Belt Instructors! Some awards that Jessica has received are several top honor trophies in karate, UCA All Star in cheerleading, being a member in James E. Spitznas National Honor Society, Beall High School's ambassador for the Hugh O'Brian Seminar, placing in Word Processing and making it to Nationals for FBLA, and best of all, achieving her Black Belt at Kick Masters Karate. Other leadership positions that she has held were captain of the JV cheerleading squad and being an officer of her class. More recently, she was just nominated Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad in April of 2006. Ms. Paolucci believes that Kick Masters is full of great opportunities and has allowed her to be the person she is today. She can't wait to keep working and eventually achieve her Third Degree Adult Black Belt. |
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Mr. Matt Shaffer
Bio Coming Soon |
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Ms. Riya Shah
Ms. Shah began karate when she was only five years old. Influenced by her Black Belt brother Mr. Raj Shah, she worked hard all throughout her training and had one of the best attendance records at Kick Masters. Ms. Shah, a private student of Master Rick Rando, passed her Board of Review with all three votes on the first try. She achieved her Jr. black belt on September 15, 2005 and currently helps teach the Little Dragons Program. With Mr. Shah already having his Black Belt and Ms. Shah just achieving it, they became only the second brother-sister black belt combo in Kick Masters' history. She attends many colored belt tests, Board of Reviews, Black Belt tests, Black Belt classes, Black Belt meetings, and helps out at many Kick Masters family activities. Currently, she is part of the top academic group called Enrichment at her school. Along with playing the violin, art, poetry and karate, she plays soccer, basketball, golf, and enjoys swimming. Shah is a straight A student at school and continues to set high standards for herself. She is currently working on achieving her second-degree Black Belt and starting her own private lessons program. |
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Ms. Megan Shaffer
Ms. Megan Shaffer started taking classes at Kick Masters Karate when she was just four years old. She started doing the moves on the side of the mat then began taking the INTRO class. She earned her junior black belt at the age of nine and is the youngest student in the history of Kick Masters to earn her Black Belt at such a young age. She still participates in the Kick Masters classes today and is an excellent example of maturity and discipline. Ms. Shaffer is a two-year captain of the Kick Masters Karate Demo team. |
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Mr. Kirk McTaggart
Mr. McTaggart is a 1st Degree Black Belt. He achieved the rank of Blue Belt in 1984 under the instruction of Mr. Dane Harden and Mr. Ronald Burner at Western Masters Karate Systems. During his high school years Mr. McTaggart pursued other interests such as soccer, football and basketball. Throughout the next 20 years he continued to be involved with other martial arts styles and systems but never attained the rank of Black Belt. In the Spring of 2005, Mr. McTaggart became a student of Kick Masters Karate and began training at the rank of Purple Belt. He attained the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in August 2008. Since then, he has been involved in assisting and instructing various classes, conducting private lessons, and he is the instructor of the Adult Self Defense Class. The combination of his career in law enforcement and the martial arts has made Mr. McTaggart passionate about helping others learn to effectively defend themselves and teaching them the skills to prevent becoming a victim of violence. Since becoming a Black Belt, Mr. McTaggart has continued to train and learn. In 2009 and 2011, he attended the MAIA Martial Arts Supershow in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he trained with Matt Hughes, Chuck Liddell, John Hackleman, Dave Kovar, Dana Abbott, Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Liborio, Stephen K. Hayes, Herb Perez, and Ernie Kirk from Krav Maga Universal in the area of Home Invasion Prevention and Preparation. He has also trained with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace at Kick Masters during “Superfoot Seminars”. In August 2011 he received his certification as a Personal Trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). He is available for personalized fitness, conditioning and weight loss instruction in addition to private martial arts instruction. His trainer website is located at https://www.issacertifiedtrainer.com/kirkmctaggart. Mr. McTaggart enjoys being a part of Kick Masters Karate and believes it is a "give and take relationship" that enables him to become better as he also helps others do the same. |
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Mr. Ethan DeVore
Mr. Ethan DeVore joined Kick Masters Karate in 1995. He trained diligently for over four years and earned the rank of Junior Black Belt in September of 1999. A private student of Master Rick Rando, Ethan took a short leave of absence during high school to pursue other endeavors, earning several awards and accolades in varsity football, basketball, and track. Mr. DeVore returned to KMK in June of 2005, where he humbled himself and worked back through the ranks to again reach the rank of Junior Black Belt. On June 14, 2006, Mr. DeVore moved up the Black Belt ranks to achieve his Adult Black Belt. In 2008 Mr. DeVore was chosen as the Kick Masters “Black Belt of the Year” the highest honor to be bestowed upon an instructor. The following year, on August 29, 2009, he earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt and received “Disciple” status at KMK, a long awaited step in his martial arts training. Mr. DeVore currently instructs the Black/Brown Belt class as well as Teen/Adult classes. He has also been a “favored” self-defense partner among students testing for black belt level, supervising and participating in over 22 black belt level self defense demonstrations. From 2006 through 2010 he assisted with the Summer Karate Kamps as well as the Overnight Kampout and TEAM Building Seminars. In addition, Mr. DeVore has headed the annual Black Friday Fun-Day and directed the fun at several Karate Birthday Parties. Mr. DeVore earned numerous scholarships and awards including the Ralph Race Memorial Scholarship, Maryland House of Delegates Scholarship, and HOPE Scholarship while attending Frostburg State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2006 and is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision at FSU. “I enjoy training at Kick Masters as a way to relax and relieve stress, while simultaneously improving my physical and mental condition. I believe my involvement with Kick Masters has improved my overall quality of life and I would not be where I am today without it.” Mr. DeVore is currently a Social Studies teacher, assistant track coach, Debate Team Coordinator/Supervisor, and Chess Club Coordinator/Supervisor at Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, MD. |
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Mr. Mathew Clark
Bio coming soon! |
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Ms. Aleks Knepper
Aleksandra Knepper has been a Kick Masters student for the past eight years. She achieved her Junior Black Belt after nearly 5 years of hard work and dedication to the program on July 23, 2008 at 13 years old. She earned her 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt in 2011 and become only 1 of two advanced female 2nd Degree Junior Black Belts. Now a junior at Mountain Ridge High School, Ms. Knepper still enjoys working out and teaching classes. She has worked with almost every age group including Little Dragons, adults, and even enjoys helping out with Karate Kamps (Little Dragons and Mainstream), private lessons, the Overnight Campout, Back Friday Fun Day, and Birthday Parties. Ms. Knepper competed in the Maryland State Karate Championship tournament at Allegany High School several years and won numerous first place trophies in Kata, Weaponry, and Open Divisions. Being a positive role model at Kick Masters has lead Ms. Knepper into other great opportunities in the community as well. As the current Miss University City Outstanding Teen 2010, and the Miss Allegany County Outstanding Teen 2009, Ms. Knepper adopted “Bully Busters” as her platform. Knepper is very involved with her school as a member of the Concert Choir, Women’s Ensemble, Drama Club, French Club, Track team, and the Mountain Ridge ‘Diamonds’ Dance Team. She also maintains a 4.0GPA while enrolled in all honors classes. |
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Mr. Zak Kerns
Mr. Zak Kerns began taking Little Dragons classes when he was five years old. He then moved up to the mainstream class at the age of six. He is a private student of both Master Rando and Mr. DeVore. Zak passed his board of review in November 2008 and achieved his Junior Black Belt two days before Christmas that same year. In May of 2009, he achieved his 2nd degree junior black belt and just recently earned his 3rd degree junior black belt. Mr. Kerns is the first Little Dragon, in the Kick Masters program, to reach Junior Black belt status. Mr. Kerns is a junior instructor for the advanced brown, gold, and orange belt classes, and the Little Dragons Saturday class. He assists with the Overnight Dojo Campouts, Bully Busters classes, Little Dragon and Main Stream Karate camps, and birthday parties. He is an active member of the Kick Masters Demo team. Zak is a straight A student at Keyser Middle School, where he is also a member of the basketball team. Currently, Zak is focusing on teaching private lessons, learning weaponry, and obtaining his adult black belt. |
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Mr. Jacob Santmyire
Bio Coming Soon |
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Mr. Craig Funk
Craig Funk has been training at Kick Masters Karate since 2003: "I began karate when I was 7 years old when Master Rando came to Accident Elementary school for an assembly. Mr. Rando inspired me to start Karate Classes that year and with the help of Mr. Devore, I advanced in rank and earned my Junior Black Belt on February 12, 2010. I am currently attending private lessons with Mr. Devore and currently working towards achieving my Second Degree Junior Black Belt. A member of the Kick Masters Demo Team, I've started teaching private lessons to other students. I routinely attend the Brown-Black classes, Adult Self Defense, and Sparring Class. Outside of Karate I enjoy other activities such as football, golf, snowboarding, and swimming. I have trained with Kick Masters for almost 9 years and it has taught me many valuable lessons such as: never give up on your goals, be respectful of others, and to be disciplined with all activities." |
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Mr. Grant Hoover
Mr. Grant Hoover started karate classes at Kick Masters in May 2005 when he was seven years old. He earned his Junior Black Belt on March 11, 2009, his 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt on April 16, 2010, and his 3rd Degree Junior Black Belt on May 26, 2011. Mr. Hoover was the second ever to achieve the rank of 3rd Degree Junior Black Belt at Kick Masters Karate. Mr. Hoover has been a member of Team Kick Masters, the KMK Demo Team, since its inception in 2009. He currently instructs various private lesson students, attends the Black/Brown class and the Sparring class regularly, instructs mainstream classes and assists with numerous KMK activities. Mr. Hoover has also been a self defense partner in three Junior Black Belt level self defense demonstrations. Mr. Hoover is a straight A student in the ninth grade at Allegany High School. He currently has a 4.4 GPA being enrolled in Honors and AP classes. He plays alto saxophone in the Allegany HS Marching Band and Jazz Band. He is a member of the Allegany HS Mock Trial Team and Ski Club. Other academic achievements include the Braddock Middle School sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Academic Achievement Awards, which he earned for having the highest grade point average each year, as well as, numerous Math Counts and Math League awards. Mr. Hoover is currently working toward testing for his Adult Black Belt. |
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Mr. Jacob Jastrzembski
Jacob Jastrzembski is a 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt, who began training at Kick Masters is 2005. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Mr. Jastrzembski is a member of the Kick Masters Karate demo team, an active member of his church’s youth group, and a home-schooled high school student. Mr. Jastrzembski enjoys teaching a variety of mainstream classes, private lessons and sparring. He proudly states that karate has helped him learn how to think on his feet and to be physically and mentally disciplined. He is grateful for all the Kick Masters staff members who encourage him to complete his goals within the program and in his life. |
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Mr. Alex Burton
Alex Burton began started taking classes at Kick Masters Karate in 2001 when he was seven years old. Despite failing his first intro class, he came back and passed the second time through. He worked hard and earned his junior black belt six years later, on July 26, 2007. He became a member of Team Kick Masters in the summer of 2009. Mr. Burton leads by example in the Black and Brown Belt class, the Advanced Brown Belt class, the sparring class, and the Adult Self-Defense class. He teaches several private lessons and helps with the summer Karate Kamps. In the martial arts and the rest of life, Mr. Burton's motto is: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." |
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Ms. Jenna Koval
Ms. Jenna Koval started training at Kick Masters Karate in 2007. She worked and trained hard for three and a half years to earn the rank of Adult Black Belt in May 2010. Koval currently assists with the instruction of the Teen/Adult class as well as Sparring, and Weapons classes. She assisted with the Stranger Danger Seminar in 2010, birthday parties, and the Overnight Kampout. In May 2011 she attended the Martial Arts Super Show in Las Vegas where she participated in seminars held by Grand Master Ernie Reyes Sr, Stephen Hayes, Matt Huges, Paul Vunak, and many other prolific martial artists. She also received certification in Dave Kovar’s instructor college. She trained with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace in 2009 and 2011 during his visits to Kick Masters. She currently teaches private lessons and attends a wide variety of other Kick Masters functions. She is also a current member of the Independent Tae Kwon Do Association and has been for the past three years. Koval graduated from Frostburg State University in 2006 with a B.S in Wildlife. “Kick Masters has shown me how to have discipline to achieve my goals. It has also helped me become a more well rounded individual and how to interact with people of all ages. Kick Masters allows me to forget everyday stresses and have a chance to relax while working out and having fun.” Koval is currently an analytical chemist at Geo Chemical Testing in Somerset, Pa. |
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Mr. Tyler Dolchan
Bio Coming Soon |
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Ms. Andrea Beechie
Bio Coming Soon |
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Ms. Janae Jastrembski
Janae Jastrzembski fell in love with karate at an early age while wathching her big brother train. She couldn't wait to begin karate herself. After 3 years of hard work, Miss Jastrzembski earned her 1st Degree Junior Black Belt at the age of 10, on April 8, 2011. Miss Jastrzembski enjoys the opportunities she has as a black belt to work with other students. She loves to help teach the Little Dragon's classes and mainstream classes. Miss Jastrzembski, a homeschooled middle school student, continues to train to advance in rank within the Kick Masters Karate Program. |
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Ms. Claire Romaine
Ms. Claire Romaine has been training at Kick Masters for almost nine years. She began in the Little Dragons program at the age of 5, and worked diligently through the ranks to achieve her 1st Degree Jr. Black Belt on March 10, 2011. She teaches multiple mainstream and Little Dragons classes as well as private lessons, birthday parties, and Karate Kamps. Ms. Romaine is a sophomore honors student at Mountain Ridge High School. She keeps very busy as a member of the “Diamonds” Dance Team, Drama Club, French Club, Science Bowl Team, Choir, Concert Choir, ECO, Envirothon Team, and cantor at St. Michael’s Church. Ms. Romaine plans to work up through the Black Belt ranks at Kick Masters while maintaining her 4.2 GPA. |
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Mr. Jonathan Dayton
Bio Coming Soon |
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Ms. Kathleen Callan
Ms. Kathleen Callan is a 1st Degree Black Belt at Kick Masters. She holds the distinction of being the oldest student to achieve black belt status earned at the age of 49. Ms. Callan began attending classes as a parent in 2001, watching, learning, and encouraging her two children who began their training at ages 8 and 6. Her daughter achieved the rank of 2nd kyu brown belt and decided to pursue other sports in 2003. That is when Ms. Callan decided to give tae kwon do a try. She and her son, a 1st kyu brown belt, trained for several years together. The black belt proved elusive to her son, but Ms. Callan continued to train diligently. Her perseverance, determination, and hard work paid off in March 2011 when she ascended to black belt status. Ms. Callan challenges any parent or adult watching from the sidelines to give karate a try. A healthy lifestyle is an achievable goal if you put your mind to it. In 2011, she attended the MAIA Martial Arts Supershow in Las Vegas, Nevada. There she trained with martial arts legends such as Stephen K. Hayes and Grand Master Ernie Reyes, Sr. She has also trained with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace at the Superfoot Seminars." Ms. Callan is a student instructor in the Teen/Adult and Sparring classes. |
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Mr. Kirk Eberly
Mr. Kirk Eberly began his career in karate when he was only 5 years old in the Little Dragons program. He continued with Little Dragons until he was 7 years old and then moved into the main stream program. Kirk earned his Black Belt in June of 2010 at age 10. He is currently a private student of Master Rando and is working toward earning his second degree junior Black Belt. Kirk is currently learning weaponry and acquiring the skills he needs to teach classes. Kirk remains a straight A student in the fifth grade at Meyersdale Elementary School while he also participates in other sports and extra curricular activities. |
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Mr. Clay Hoover
Mr. Clay Hoover started karate classes at Kick Masters in March 2008 when he was seven years old. He earned his Junior Black Belt on June 30, 2011. He currently assists with the purple belt class, attends the Black/Brown belt class and Sparring class regularly, and helps with numerous KMK activities. Mr. Hoover is a straight A student in the sixth grade at Braddock Middle School. Mr. Hoover plays alto saxophone in the Braddock Blue Band. He is a member of the Braddock Math Counts team and Braddock Ski Club. Mr. Hoover plays JCP soccer for the Braddock Braves, Little League baseball for THK, and indoor soccer at the YMCA. Mr. Hoover is currently working toward testing for his 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt. |
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Mr. Connor McClay
Bio Coming Soon |
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