Is a picture worth a thousand words?

I think so.  Our school has been in operation for last fourteen years in Kirkland.  Our programs have taught 1000's of young people martial arts.  Over the holiday break I came across this picture and wanted to share this with you.

This is a picture from the Tiger Balm invitational tournament.  This is where we competed in the Sport Jiu Jitsu World Championships which was held in Vancouver.  Our crosstraining philosophy fits very well with this type of competition.  Students are allowed to kick, punch, do takedowns and grapple. 

Although only being open for a couple years we had several students win under-black belt world championships.  I was so proud of everyone's efforts. 

What makes me even more proud is to look at these pictures and think about where these students are twelve years later.  In the back row we have an Iraq war veteran, a sailor in the navy, two college graduates, and a police officer.  Even the littlest kids that were in the first row are now collegiate athletes, a firefighter in training even a semi-pro rally car racer WOW!  It is my sincere hope that the students pictured think that martial arts had a small role in helping them to achieve these goals and work toward worthwhile and meaningful careers.

The lifeskills you son or daughter are being trained in will help them to lead interesting and purposeful lives.  How do I know this..... because a picture is worth a 1000 words.

By the way, many of you may recognize Sherri's daughter Alauna in the picture, first row at the end.