August 14, 2009

Test forms for all ranks are now available to download from this web site.  Just go to the your current curriculum to download the appropriate testing form in PDF format.

August 8, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Shane Webster and Ms. Makenna Galke on passing their I Dan Black Belt test.  Both did a wonderful job and impressed Master Swan, VII Dan the Examiner.  Mr. Shane Webster has been taking classes at Long Tao Martial Arts since June 2006, and Ms. Makenna Galke has been a student since 2000. 

July 29, 2009

I have found a fun and interesting way to get our name out to the public, every year Channel 7 runs a program of the best businesses in Denver, called the 7- A List.  I have added our school into the running this year for best Martial Arts School.  I urge and encourage all of my students to go to this link kmgh.cityvoter.com/centennial-tae-kwon-do/biz/413343 to vote for us, Centennial Tae Kwon Do.  You can also click on the link next to our photo to write a recommendation for our school.  You do not have to be a student at Centennial Tae Kwon Do in order to vote, so please send this around and let's see if we can be The Best!

July 25, 2009

Referral Program: For the months of July, August & September2009, if a student refers a friend they will use a $5.00 Certificate for the purchase of equipment or any other item from the AWMA or Century Catalogs.  In addition, they will have their name entered for a drawing, the prize will be 6 FREE MOVIE PASSES

July 8, 2009

With the encouragement of several students, I have added Centennial Tae Kwon Do to the social networking site "Face Book".  I am hoping this will enhance our web presence by giving all of my students an opportunity to post to discussions, photos and more.  I will soon be sending out e-mail invites to join our site.  If you want to gothere now the link is: www.facebook.com/pages/Centennial-CO/Centennial-Tae-Kwon-Do/100060737346  

June 24, 2009

Tai Chi and Filipino Stick Fighting classes will begin on Wednesday, July1, 2009 at the Centennial School.  These classes are taught by Sensei Bradley Ryan, there is seperate tuition for these two classes.  Class will be held every Wedneday.  Contact Mr. Galke or Sensei Bradley for more information on these classes. denver.yourhub.com/Centennial/Events/Fitness/Event~630972.aspx 

June 10, 2009

It is with greatest saddness that I have to pass along the news of the passing of Mr. Jeff Thompson, VI Dan (1973-2009).  Master Burkhart who knew Mr. Thompson very well sent the following note to those of us who had trained with Mr. Thompson:

To all of our friends, family, and fellow Tae Kwon Do practitioners, I just needed to forward some sad news about the loss of one of our Tae Kwon Do family and special friends. Mr. Jeff Thompson passed away on June 5^th unexpectedly in his sleep and to date the causes are still not known.   I, as others am still pretty numbed by this unexpected loss of Jeff, and really cannot fathom that he is truly gone.   For those of us who really knew Jeff as a person, he was extremely brilliant, quick of wit, and a lot of fun to be with, and as I reflect back over at least the last 24 years of watching Jeff grow up I can’t help but think of some of the great things we have all done together because of Tae Kwon Do and who Jeff was.  Remembering when he was a yellow belt and needing to give him a ride home from Boulder and discovering that he did not know where his house was.   We did make it to the neighborhood and he finally recognized where he lived, this was of course before there was the convenience of cell phones.After that experience I find out he graduated with the highest GPA, Alameda High School ever gave, go figure! Where Jeff really excelled in life besides academics was the art of Tae Kwon Do.  He is well known throughout the 90’s as being a national & international champion and competitor by participating at all national levels and two world I.T.F. championships in Malaysia and Russia.   He grew into being an invaluable assistant instructor which contributed to Foothills Tae Kwon Do’s success, he instructed kids at the Pointe Athletic Club for years and worked with Master Akard the last few years continuing to try and perfect this art.   He is and was the best patterns practitioner that Foothills Tae Kwon Do has ever had in our 40 years of history.  He was one of the best all around kicking practitioners we have ever had and was a fierce pound for pound fighter.   Jeff will be sorely missed, and I wanted everyone to take the time to send a note on the attached guestbook.   I know that with time your thoughts shared with Jeff’s family will help his Father and Mother in this terrible time of loss. A parent should never have to bare the pain of losing a child before we go, so please keep Jeff’s family in your thoughts, prayers and invaluable support during this tough time.   His viewing and service times are posted on this attachment as well as the location, if you have trouble reading this please let me know.   I am very grateful that God put Mr. T in our lives and I am sure you are grateful as well.   Though this time together was too short, the fond memories will never be forgotten, and because of those great memories, Jeff will never be forgotten.  Please forward this information to anyone that may want or need to know that I may have missed.  God Bless,Master Dale L. Burkhart, Robin, and family

April 24, 2009

Check out these stories published on YourHub.com about our school: denver.yourhub.com/Centennial/Stories/Business/Story~589682.aspx, denver.yourhub.com/Centennial/Stories/Sports/Recreational/Story~605384.aspx, denver.yourhub.com/Centennial/Events/Fitness/Event~605486.aspx

March 7, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS to Master Burkhart (Mr. Galke's Instructor) on his promotion to VIII Dan.  Master Burkhart will be promoted by Grand Master Sereff, IX Dan on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

December 19, 2008

A special thanks to everyone that participated in the 3rd annual Young Champions/LongTao Martial Arts Christmas Party.  A great time was had by all and the food was awesome!  Congratualtions to prize winners Elisa Logan, Alex Hinds, Zack Kaser and Elias Beaini.

 October 14, 2008As part of our community service and out reach, I am making free classes available to anyone who would like to use them as part of an auction or raffle for schools, community or church organizations fundraisers.  I will provide postcard sized coupons for 3 weeks of unlimited classes.  If you are interested please contact Mr. Galke.

September 26, 2008

Recently I made the decision to run Young Champions and Long Tao Martial Arts independent of any outside organizations.  I announced this in class a few weeks ago but wanted to make sure everyone was aware of it. I made this decision carefully and it is based on what I feel is in the best interest of my students and my school.  So we are no longer part of Yom Chi Tae Kwon Do.

June 20, 2008

Even though this policy has been in place since January 1, 2008, we wanted to put it in writing for everyone.  "Any student who takes a break from training for more than 8 weeks will be considered inactive (time off for injuries are an exception).  Returning students will need to re-register.  Classes accumulated before the break will be lost and will not count towards the next testing.  Upon returning the students will be subject to any new student pricing policies that have gone into place since the break began."  If you have any questions please see your Instructor.

June 2, 2008

Long Tao Martial Arts and The Young Champions program have joined the Colorado Karate Association (CKA) to give students the opportunity to compete in tournaments on a league type basis.  Now that the school belongs to the CKA, its students may join at the member school discount, $20 per year and $15 for each family member after that.  The benifits of joining include discounts on tournament registration and offical recognition of tournament results by the CKA.  Attendance at CKA tournaments also counts towards Yom Chi comeptiton status and needs to be reported to your Instructor so that you get all the points that you have earned.  For more information on CKA their web site is coloradokarateassociation.org.  If you have any questions see your Instructor.

February 7, 2008

The YCMA Educational Fund is now open and has a balance of $250 donated by Long Tao Martial Arts.  A current balance of the college scholarship will be posted on the Scholarship page of this web site.  The fund is accepting donations for the scholarships, 100% of all donations will go to scholarships, no funds will be diverted to administration of this program.  We are also planning fundraisers for this fund, if you have any original ideas let us know!

Janaury 24, 2008

We have completed filing the articles of Incorporation for the Nonprofit college scholarship fund "Young Champions Martial Arts Educational Fund Corporation."  The Corporation will also file for 501 c3 status.  These scholarships will be made available to any active Black Belts based on grades and participation in the martial arts.  A full list of requirements will soon be available on the Scholarship page.  Once a bank account is set up we will begin our fundraising activities to fund the scholarships.  

December 4, 2007

In the ancient martial arts traditions, it was required to keep a detailed record of family lines and success/participation in battle. These histories were presented before any formal business could be conducted. In keeping with this tradition, Young Champions and Long Tao Martial Arts will now encourage all students to keep a detailed record of their martial arts experience. All students that wish to test for I Dan Black Belt and above will be required to present this history to your senior Instructor before he or she will sign your test application. All I Dan Black Belts and above will be required to present this history before being allowed to teach class on a regular basis. There are several reasons for this; first it legitimizes your rank and experience by giving exact dates and record numbers for all to see and verify (all Instructor histories will be posted on the web sites). Second, it will assist all Black Belt candidates when filling out the history portion of their test application. Third, it will show each student who puts together this history all they have accomplished in their martial arts experience.The following information should be included in each students History:

* List of all senior Instructors under which you have studied on a  regular basis, including style practiced.

* List of all test dates and certificate numbers.

* List of all tournaments attended, including city, state, date, events participated in and awards won.

* All certifications, especially Referee certification with date, certification number and Instructor teaching the certification seminar.

* All seminars or special classes attended, Patterns seminar, weapons seminars, trips to china, etc.

* Anything else you feel should be included in your own personal martial arts history.The sooner you begin this the easier it will be to do as the memories and records are still fresh and available. This may take some investigative efforts on your part but is well worth it! 

October 21, 2007

Starting immediately, we will be taking orders for any merchandise from either the AWMA or Century Martial Arts catalogs.  All orders will be placed on the 15th of each month (the first order will be done on November 15, 2007).  We will make both of the catalogs and order forms available at each class.  In addition, students may use referral dollars for any of these orders.