Club Naha Kids Karate
Where Winners Become Champions!
Meet Our Instructors
Sensei Jenny and Sensei Becky began their martial arts careers in 2001 at the Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club when they joined the Club Naha Karate Program.
For the next three years, they studied Hensen Ryu karate under Shihan Ken Walsh, Renshi Craig Sargent, and Renshi Javier Diaz. Both girls showed a strong interest in teaching early in their training, and were two of the few students awarded the Japanese title of "Sempai", a title given to under-Black Belt students who show potential as instructors.
By 2004, Sensei Jenny and Sensei Becky had earned their Brown Belts and were ready to undergo the traditional three-day test to earn their Black Belts.
In order to pass the Black Belt test, they were required to complete a five mile run in under an hour, pass a two hour written exam, hike and run over eight miles, successfully perform all of their katas (forms) and martial arts techniques throughout hours of intense training, complete 3,000 push-ups and 3,000 sit-ups over the course of three days, and finally fight in twenty-one consecutive sparring matches against the Club Naha Black Belts!
Both girls passed their Black Belt test with flying colors. In 2006, they earned their Second Degree Black Belts and the Japanese title of "Sensei", or "Teacher". Shortly thereafter, they were offered a teaching position at the George J. Mitchell School in Waterville, Maine, with the opportunity to implement their own satellite karate program in the Mitchell School's nationally accredited Child Care program.
After two years at the George J. Mitchell School, during which the karate program grew to become a well-established after-school activity and an asset to Child Care, Sensei Becky and Sensei Jenny passed the program on to a fellow Black Belt to open their own martial arts school at the Bay Area Fitness Gym in Belfast, Maine.
In September and October of 2009, Sensei Jenny and Sensei Becky underwent a two-part test for their 3rd Degree Black Belt. Part I consisted of a "Vision Quest", a Native American experience during which the participant spends time outdoors (in nature) and reflects on their personal goals, achievements, life's direction and future paths. This was held on Indian Island on the China Lakes. Part II was the physical testing: a strenuous one-hour straight cardio workout, followed by a performance of all of their Kata (forms) and key self-defense techniques. As a final test, Sensei Jenny and Sensei Becky were required to share with the other Club Naha Black Belts their personal thoughts and philosophies for life as revealed during the Vision Quest.
Currently, Sensei Jenny and Sensei Becky run a martial arts school in Belfast, Maine. They also run a satellite class at the Searsport Elementary School in Searsport, Maine, and teach occasional classes at the Frankfort Elementary School in Frankfort, Maine. Both Senseis are part time instructors at the Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club and continue their own martial arts training by regularly attending Black Belt level classes at the Boys and Girls Club. Both instructors are also Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR certified by the American Red Cross!
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