New Year/2014 Accomplishments

North Arkansas Martial Arts owner/instructor Jessica Lasecki announces that NAMA students did a fantastic job this year in the Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation and here at home. NAMA held their annual potluck awards dinner December 29th, to announce the awards received at the CTF banquet in Nashville, TN on December 6th 2014.

At the CTF black belt banquet Jessica Lasecki was recognized for centering 50 tournament rings during the 5 tournaments this year. Also she was promoted from center referee to chief referee. This is a very prestigious position to be promoted to as it has certain requirements. Some of those include 6 years of previous levels of judging experience, 3rd degree black belt, written tests, and also 2 nominations from other higher ranked judges.

The CTF also recognized NAMA for 2014 club of the year award. This was for having big numbers from our small school. We had 5 black belt testings, 3 assistant collar testings, 5 national jacket entries, 1 jacket winner, 64 total divisions judged by NAMA school members, and ½ of all school members consistently participating at CTF tournaments.  

Lasecki said, "We had such a great year all the way around! I am so proud and happy for all NAMA students. They did very well in 2014 and we are moving forward for sure. I’m excited to start 2015. We have a very big year planned. This includes us shooting for 12 black belt testings, 3 assistant collar testings, and also we cannot forget our exciting trip to Canada in May!”

Along with the CTF recognitions we also had some of our own awards to give out to our hard working NAMA students. Some of the awards given included those to our dedicated mommas who take class with their children and at the adult class on Thursday evenings. Also some perseverance awards were given to some of the students who had a rough year and in spite of everything kept coming back to class. We had 3 big awards given out as well. Katrina Dean, a blue belt, received the dedication trophy for consistently logging her workouts throughout the entire year and also solidified her personal goal to get to black belt by the end of 2015. Way to go Katrina! Felicia Lasecki a 1st degree black belt, received the growing up trophy. She had reasonable personal goals set for the 2014 tournament year after a rough 2013 tournament year and stuck to them and qualified for the national jacket competition. She also started assisting new ranks and is just taking more of a leadership role all the way around - keep up the great work Felicia! To top off the night at NAMA, the student of the year trophy which is 6 foot tall was given out. To receive this, the student had to meet certain criteria all year long. We are proud to say that Dominic Giles had all A’s this year, came to class consistently or made arrangements because of other sports he played, qualified for the national jacket, claimed the national patterns champion title, and was all around a great role model to younger NAMA students. Way to go Dominic!

Lasecki is offering a free week of classes for any new student who wants to try it out. A special thank you to North Arkansas Martial Arts sponsors that help make these trips possible for our students: Larsons, John Deer Harrison, Steve and Joy Copeland, Western Sizzlin Harrison, Walter and Anna McNew, Clay Maxey Ford Motor Company, Razorback Ribs, Southern Rock Tobacco Shoppe, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Waggner, Home Depot, Imagine That, McDonalds Harrison, Natures Way, Sandy Baker, & Kelly Smith. If you are interested in sponsoring a child or in taking classes please call 870.736.0571 or email namaTKD1@gmail.com.