South Eastern Karate :: Recent News

RECENT NEWS FROM
SOUTH EASTERN KARATE ASSOCIATION

Ramseur, Siler City students
receive black belt ranks

SILER CITY — Friday, June 12, 2009 — Dorsey Chamblee of Ramseur and Colby Lee of Siler City received black belt ranks on June 5, when South Eastern Karate Association held its quarterly promotion exams.

Belts and certificates were presented by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or Seventh Dan, who has been teaching martial arts in Siler City for more than 27 years.

Chamblee received the rank of Third Dan Instructor, recognizing more than a decade of training and his growing role as a teacher and leader in the local school.

When the 52-year-old began training, it was merely for physical fitness. Since then, his goals have changed. He still enjoys the workout, but now appreciates how his martial arts training has enriched all areas of life.

He's a much calmer person now, Chamblee says, more in control of himself. And he's learned a lot about how other people learn and act by helping them master techniques. But the process hasn't always been easy.

"I taught the children's class by myself one night. A real challenge," he says. "I taught one night when everyone was told not to follow my instructions. A real challenge. I've taught forms, kicks and hand techniques, and sometimes, I've learned more while teaching than when I was being taught.

"But I've received so much from this school that anything I've contributed is trivial in comparison to what I've received."

Lee, 12, has just started his journey as a black belt, receiving the rank of First Dan Junior, or first-degree junior black belt. The junior rank is a designation for martial artists under about 18 years of age.

His parents introduced Lee to karate when he was just 9 years old, and he liked everything about it from the moment he walked into the training hall. He particularly enjoys working on kicks and even looks forward to promotion tests.

"You get to show off what you've learned and get to break boards," he says.

Even at his young age, Lee understands that he's learning much more than kicks and punches. "I've learned about respect and discipline," he says. "It lets me calm down and think about what I'm going to do. If I get mad at my sister, I can calm down and not do anything."

Hearing that kind of insight and self-control from one of her young students has kept Master Jolly energized for so many years.

And it's one reason she's kept training fees so low — half to a third of what most schools charge — so more people and families can afford to train in a martial arts style that emphasizes self defense, fitness and self-discipline, rather than competitive fighting.

"With all of the mixed martial arts on television, it can be hard for people to understand the differences in martial arts," she explains. "What we do here is teach a traditional style designed to help everyone improve their own lives and skills, no matter how they are when they walk in the door."

South Eastern Karate Association has taught Korean martial arts in central North Carolina since 1982 to men and women from 5-years-old to well past retirement age. Schools in Siler City and Liberty feature instruction in self-defense, and emphasize confidence, physical fitness and self-discipline.

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:: Photos
Two Students Receive Black Belt Ranks (1.3M JPEG)
Dorsey Chamblee (from left), Master Instructor Peggy Jolly and Colby Lee pause for a photo after black belt ranks were awarded in June by South Eastern Karate Association. Chamblee was promoted to third-degree black belt instructor, while Lee received his black belt and the rank of First Dan Junior.

Chamblee Demonstrates Kicking Technique (333K JPEG)
Dorsey Chamblee, recently awarded the rank of third-degree black belt instructor, uses a back hook kick to knock the ash off a lit cigarette held by Chip Pate, a second-degree black belt instructor. (Photo by Kirby Pate)

Spoon receives black belt
in March ceremony

SILER CITY — Sunday, April 5, 2009 — Kay Spoon of Pittsboro was awarded a black belt and the rank of First Dan on Mar. 21, when South Eastern Karate Association held its quarterly promotion exams.

The belt and certificate were presented by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or Seventh Dan, just three months after the school awarded eight other black belt ranks.

When Spoon first walked into the karate school, she never intended to take classes. Still affected by a dangerous episode earlier in life, she merely wanted her daughter, Rachel, to have the tools to deal with a similar situation, if it ever arose.

"When I was working my way through college, a gentleman came in our office late one evening and had a psychotic break," she recalls. "He threatened my director and tried to get out of the building with me. It was a traumatic experience, and it really stayed with me.

"As Rachel started getting up in age, I thought about that and wanted to help her keep a calm head and develop the mental and physical discipline to deal with something like that."

While the daughter trained, Mom watched. Then, Master Instructor Jolly began urging Mom — "cajoling" is how Spoon puts it — to join Rachel in class. The teacher was so relentless that Spoon decided to put a uniform on, if only to prove that there was no way a woman in her late 40s could do martial arts.

The only problem: Spoon was wrong. The mother did learn, and after nearly four years of work, the 49-year-old received her black belt. In a particularly meaningful moment after the promotion ceremony ended, black belt Rachel Spoon tied on her mother's black belt for the first time.

Master Jolly says there many reasons why a lot of parents have trained with their children during the 27 years she's taught martial arts in Siler City. It's one of the few activities the family can do together. It opens up important lines of communication, especially during teenage years. And the experience is almost always good for the entire family.

"You might not realize it, but children take a great deal of pride in their parents, particularly when they watch Mom or Dad struggle to learn new skills and achieve their goals," Master Jolly explains. "And that gives children a stronger motivation that goes beyond the martial arts. It's an example that shows children it's important to keep working to get better at whatever they do and never give up."

The Spoons continue to train. As black belts, they're honing techniques they've already practiced and are learning how to use them in difficult situations. Mom says she sees the black belt as a beginning, not the ultimate goal, because there's so much more to learn.

She's done pretty well already. "Training has probably helped me more than you have room to print," she says. "The big thing is confidence, the way I carry myself and the way I approach the tragedy and hardships that come in life.

"There's more strength there — not just a physical strength, but confidence and a mental strength to deal with things I might not have been able to deal with before."

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:: Photos
   Daughter Ties Belt On New First Dan (1.3M JPEG)
   Kay Spoon has her new black belt tied on by her daughter, Rachel, as
Master Instructor Peggy Jolly watches. Kay received the rank of first
dan on Mar. 21. Rachel was named First Dan Junior in September.

   Spoon Receives Certificate from Master Instructor Jolly (1.6M JPEG)
Kay Spoon, left, was awarded her black belt and certificate from Master
Instructor Peggy Jolly during the quarterly promotion tests on Mar. 21.

Black belt ranks awarded
to eight local martial artists

SILER CITY — Tuesday, January 27, 2009 — It was a busy morning when the South Eastern Karate Association awarded new black belt ranks last month. Eight martial artists from Chatham and Randolph counties were recognized, half receiving their black belts for the first time and others receiving the second-degree rank.

Belts and certificates were awarded by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or 7th Dan, when the school held its winter promotion tests.

Joel Jolly, Mary Grace McCoy, Keith Suits and William Suits were promoted to 2nd Dan. Receiving their belts and the rank of 1st Dan were Lacy Petty, Sandi McDanel, Zachary Phillips and Eric Martinez.

Jolly, a 51-year-old retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, received the rank of 2nd Dan Instructor, recognizing his role as a teacher in the Siler City school. During the fall, he was responsible for leading a class primarily for younger students, who clearly admire and respect their mentor.

The experience also was a learning process for Jolly. "Every student is different," he says. "You need to teach differently, to teach through words. You need to encourage some, challenge others. It feels good when juniors get up to do a demo or break and use the same words I've used. It shows they're paying attention and that I made an impact."

McCoy, promoted to 2nd Dan, began training to get some exercise. The 40-year-old living in the Silk Hope area of Chatham County still gets plenty, but has been equally challenged by the mental component of martial arts.

"I realized it was my mind that was preventing me from doing lots of things, not just in training, but in life in general," she says. "One of Master Jolly's frequently-repeated bits of advice is, 'Change your way of thinking.' If you stop letting your mind tell you all the reasons you can't do something, suddenly, you discover exactly what wonderful things you are capable of doing."

Keith Suits and son William, both from Liberty, hail from a family steeped in martial arts. Keith's other sons train, too. Rory, a first-degree black belt, and John, a red belt, train with the family in the Liberty school. An adult son, David, received his black belt under Master Young Taek Yu in Greensboro, who also trained Master Instructor Jolly and established the school in Siler City. Keith's brother, Scott, is a black belt.

So, it's not surprising that Keith, now 2nd Dan, appreciates what he calls the "brotherhood of martial arts." While students constantly challenge each other in training, the 48-year-old says all want their colleagues to improve and succeed. "They're watching you on test day and are pulling for you," Keith explains. "It's one of the few things I've done in life where everybody wants you to succeed."

William — who, at age 13, has trained for more than half of his life — was awarded the rank of 2nd Dan Junior, a rank for martial artists under the age of 18. Even at his young age, William is developing leadership skills by helping novice students learn new techniques.

He's learned some lessons of his own, about trusting what he's practiced and learned. One of his promotion tests consisted of just one form, a series of choreographed moves used in training. It was a very unusual test, but made a lasting impression. "I didn't see it coming and it startled me," he recalls. "I learned that if you're doing just one form on a test, don't think about how bad you think you're going to do. Just do the form."

Petty, one of the new first-degree black belts, began training in 1983, but dropped out when college, the military and work pushed training out his schedule. The 57-year-old returned about two years ago, this time with his son, and says his only regret is not coming back sooner.

It was difficult to remember all of the techniques and get back in the swing of things, but the mental and physical training have helped him recover from health problems and give him goals to accomplish. "Not everybody's going to be a Bruce Lee," Petty admits. "But you can push yourself a bit more to get the next level. To receive a black belt from Master Jolly is maybe one of the proudest times of my life."

McDanel, 51, was always intrigued by martial arts and began her own training four years ago, when the Siler City resident received a month's worth of classes as a birthday gift. She knew martial arts weren't really like the stereotypical kung fu movies, but was surprised by the focus and discipline required.

"It's opened my eyes to a better way of living through a little more discipline," she says. "I've learned from Master Jolly there's a lesson in everything we do. It's been a great experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested. But, with all the new things you're learning, be prepared to give it a little time."

Phillips also was curious about martial arts and enrolled in his first class after facing a problem at school when he was in the sixth grade. Now, the 14-year-old, who enjoys free sparring because "it helps you get better prepared for what might happen," has learned important skills, both physical and mental.

That includes perseverance — when he had trouble breaking boards with a kick, he had to work to strengthen that technique — and having respectful attitude. "Since I've learned it here," the Siler City resident says, "I understand it will impress other people and also gain respect for myself."

Another young black belt, 13-year-old Eric Martinez, graduated from training with younger students, eventually to join the adult class. Not all students make that move at such an early age, but Martinez prepared himself by working hard to refine his skills.

The sweeping kick was particularly challenging to the Siler City resident. But through hard work, he mastered the technique in nearly four years of training. That level of dedication won him friends of all ages.

While it's common to award black belt ranks every few months, it is unusual to recognize so many at once. Master Jolly says it's a testimony to students who work hard and continue training once they receive their black belt.

"Many people see black belt as the ultimate goal," she says. "It is an important goal, but once you earn the black belt, we can put those skills together and begin advanced training. The fact that so many of our students appreciate what they've learned and want to continue, once they earn their black belt, is a credit to them and the school."

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:: Photo
Eight Martial Artists Receive Black Belt Ranks (1.4M JPEG)
Eight martial artists received first- or second-degree black belt ranks from Master Instructor Peggy Jolly when South Eastern Karate Association held its quarterly promotion tests in December. Pictured, from left, are: Sandi McDanel, Lacy Petty, Eric Martinez, Master Instructor Jolly, Zachary Phillips, William Suits, Keith Suits, Joel Jolly and Mary Grace McCoy.

Three martial artists from Liberty
receive black belts in September

SILER CITY — Wednesday, October 22, 2008 — Three martial artists from Liberty received black belts last month, when South Eastern Karate Association held its fall promotion tests.

Kim Garrett, Logan Bristow and Rory Suits were awarded their belts and ranks by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or 7th Dan, who has led the school since it was established in 1982.

All three new black belts train in Liberty under School Head Instructor Mark Ellington, a fifth-degree black belt, who began training under Master Jolly when he was 16. The Liberty school celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

Kim Garrett received the rank of 1st Dan, or first-degree black belt. The 38-year-old developed an interest in martial arts by watching Bruce Lee movies, and when her nephew decided to begin training, Garrett decided to jump in, too.

"It's a lot different than what you see in the movies," she says. "They always make it look a lot easier than it really is."

Garrett's greatest challenge has been refining jump turning kicks, though she says the long process is rewarding. She not only enjoys the exercise, but appreciates the confidence she gets from working on techniques and seeing them improve — and from knowing she can defend herself in difficult situations.

Bristow, the nephew who inspired Garrett to begin training, also received his black belt and the rank of 1st Dan Junior, a designation awarded to new black belts under the age of 18. Now 7 years old, Bristow was much younger when his mother took him to watch a class and he became hooked.

There aren't many venues where youngsters assume a leadership role with older students, but martial arts is one. Bristow has always enjoyed practicing forms — choreographed patterns of karate techniques used in training — and recently has been responsible for teaching them to other students.

Still, he never misses a chance to look ahead and see what new forms are on his own horizon. "It's fun getting to watch the upper black belts," he admits. "I know I'm going to have to do them in a couple of years."

Suits, 8, also was awarded the rank of 1st Dan Junior and becomes the third member of his family to earn a black belt from South Eastern Karate — joining his father, Keith, and brother, William.

Like Bristow, Suits enjoys practicing forms, though he's had to work hard to develop good balance and memorize the scores of individual techniques and dozens of moves packed into some of the more intricate forms.

In the end, he says, the reward is knowing he can protect himself and keeping in shape from all the exercise — including the pushups he likes and the situps that, he says, are more difficult.

All three new black belts continue to train, which is encouraging to Master Jolly, who studied under International Grandmaster Young Taek Yu in Greensboro.

"It takes at least three years, and often more, for any new student to earn the black belt," she says. "That means students like Logan and Rory have been training almost half of their lives. The fact that they've continued, even though some leave after earning their belts, shows the students and their families have gained something from the training.

"You can see it in all three, not only in their technique, but in their sense of confidence and self-discipline. These are important lessons we try to teach, and it's good to know they're taking them to heart."

South Eastern Karate, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, teaches Korean martial arts to adults and children, men and women, at schools in Siler City and Liberty. Students range from 5-year-old white belts, or beginners, to new students and high-ranking black belts of retirement age. The schools' instruction in self-defense also emphasizes confidence, physical fitness and self-discipline.

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:: Photo
Martial Artists from Liberty Earn Black Belt Ranks (1.3M JPEG)
Three martial artists from Liberty received their black belts in a September ceremony at South Eastern Karate Association in Siler City. Master Instructor Peggy Jolly (back row, left) presented belts and certificates to Kim Garrett and juniors (front row, from left) Logan Bristow and Rory Suits.

Seven martial artists receive
black belts in summer ceremony

SILER CITY — Wednesday, September 20, 2008 — Seven area martial artists were awarded black belts earlier this summer, when South Eastern Karate Association held its quarterly promotion tests.

Belts and ranks were presented by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or 7th Dan, who trained under International Grandmaster Young Taek Yu in Greensboro and has been teaching in Siler City for more than 25 years.

Kevin Trotter of Pittsboro received the rank of 1st Dan, or first-degree black belt. The 35-year-old first walked into the karate school after his daughter decided to enroll. For a while, he watched. Then, acting on an interest he developed as a child, he decided to give martial arts a try.

Over four years of training, Trotter overcame some initial concerns about being too old and lacking the stamina to begin training. "The barriers that can't be overcome are those you set out for yourself," he says now. "I don't see challenges as road blocks any more. They're challenges that can be overcome."

Training in martial arts also has been a unifying force in his family. Trotter trains with his wife, two sons and the daughter who was the first to enroll. And his daughter, Anna, received her black belt the same day.

Karate looked fun, says Anna, who, along with the other students, received the rank of 1st Dan Junior, the designation awarded to black belts under the age of 18. The 7-year-old found it hard to remember her forms — choreographed patterns of karate techniques used in training — but improved the more she practiced.

She says she'd encourage her friends to try karate. "You can take it as long as you want, and I get to learn things in class I haven't learned yet," Anna says. "I never want to stop."

The father-daughter combo received belts with four other students training in Siler City and another based at the South Eastern Karate school in Liberty.

Tristan Bland, one of those training in Siler City, says he's learned to be more focused — both mentally and physically — during years of training. At first, the 8-year-old living in Pittsboro found it difficult to stay in some stances for an extended period of time.

He's improved that skill and developed others. Bland says he particularly enjoys jumping over boxes and practicing jump kicks. "It's fun being up in the air," he says.

Alec Brewer may be a kindred spirit. After his mother suggested giving karate a try, Brewer, another 8-year-old black belt, agreed. Now, the technique he enjoys most is the flying side kick because "you jump really high."

He also has worked hard to be able to protect himself. "It teaches me how to defend myself," says the Siler City resident. "Sometimes, I see my friends get bullied."

Rachel Spoon, 12, also appreciates the ability to defend herself — along with the sense of respect and discipline she's developed through her training. Respect, she says, for other people and for the art, itself.

"It's so much more than what people believe," says the Pittsboro resident, who revels in learning details that help generate power in each technique. "I get asked questions, and people don't understand all of the hard work."

At age 13, D.J. Martin was the oldest junior from Siler City to receive his black belt. Though it's been many months ago, he still remembers his favorite moment in karate — jumping over three adult black belts, through a hoop and breaking boards with a flying side kick.

He began martial arts to use his natural athletic talent, but has learned more along the way than he expected. "It's gotten me stronger," he says. "And, I've learned to give 100 percent effort and to never give up."

Jalen Nettles of Staley represented the Liberty school among the latest group of black belts. The 11-year-old says he began training to develop self-discipline and grew to enjoy forms and kicks.

It was while practicing the sweeping kick that Nettles had to apply one central tenet of the art — never to give up. "I tried to do it and fell — a few times," he says. "But I got back up and kept trying."

Master Instructor Jolly was pleased with the large number of students receiving their black belts in the most recent ceremony — and what they've learned.

"People see the kicks and the punches, but that's not all of the martial arts," she explains. "We also teach students lessons that apply beyond karate. Things like respecting themselves, their parents and their teachers, and giving 100-percent effort in everything they do."

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:: Photo
Martial Artists Earn Black Belt Ranks (1.3M JPEG)
Several martial artists received black belts this summer from South Eastern Karate Association. Master Instructor Peggy Jolly (back row from left) presented certificates to Rachel Spoon, Kevin Trotter and D.J. Martin. Also (front row from left), Anna Trotter, Tristan Bland and Alec Brewer. Jalen Nettles also received the rank.

Public open house to mark 25th
anniversary of South Eastern Karate

SILER CITY — Sunday, April 22, 2007 — South Eastern Karate will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, May 5, with an open house featuring a magic show by black belt Gary Blankenship.

The 90-minute celebration begins at 3 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

Founded in 1982 as the Siler City branch of Young Yu Tae Kwon Do, a school based in Greensboro, it became independent years later. Despite the name change, Master Instructor Peggy Petty Jolly has remained its guiding force for a quarter century.

In addition to the magic show, the open house includes "Forms of Entertainment," a lighthearted parody on choreographed karate forms by junior red belt student Rachel Spoon, and a few other surprises.

Refreshments will be served, and a special exhibit by junior students will be on display. The exhibit, "Saving Master Jolly," features the students' answers to the question, "If you saw someone hurting Master Jolly, what would you do?"

Mark Ellington, a fifth-degree black belt who is leading the celebration, says the open house is geared largely toward youth, but has been planned with adults in mind.

"In some ways, this is our primary anniversary celebration for our junior students," he explains. "But the magic show is designed for adults, too. We hope people will come by, enjoy the show and learn more about the karate school.

"We also hope anyone who's had some association with the school over the last 25 years will stop by for a visit and get a chance to see Master Jolly again."

Reunion news is available on the school Web site at southeasternkarate.com/reunion.htm. The anniversary celebration also includes an evening reunion open to invited guests.

South Eastern Karate, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in May, teaches Korean martial arts to adults and children, men and women, at schools in Siler City, Liberty and Sanford. Students range from 5-year-old white belts, or beginners, to new students and high-ranking black belts of retirement age. The schools' instruction in self-defense also emphasizes confidence, physical fitness and self-discipline.

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School to mark 25th anniversary
with open house and reunion

SILER CITY — Monday, March 12, 2007 — When Peggy Petty Jolly opened South Eastern Karate a quarter-century ago, few people gave the fledgling operation any real chance of surviving. There were as many reasons tossed around as there were critics.

Karate was relatively new in the area, some claimed, and locals wouldn't understand what it was all about. The school would struggle in a small town, others said, because the number of potential students was too limited. Many doubted whether a woman could succeed anywhere as head instructor.

There are no doubters any more. South Eastern Karate has not only survived, but thrived. It has since expanded to four schools — in Siler City, Liberty, Pittsboro and Sanford — and plans to celebrate its silver anniversary on May 5 with an afternoon open house for junior students and the community, followed by an evening reunion for actively training adult students and invited guests.

"Looking back, I guess there were a lot of obstacles, but we never thought about them too much at the time," says Master Instructor Jolly, who now holds a seventh-degree black belt and is widely recognized as one of the more accomplished instructors in the region.

"I just relied on the teaching from Master Yu, my own instructor, and passed that knowledge down to students in this area," she says. "The community responded and has supported the school from the very beginning. I think it's largely due to what I learned from Master Yu and the positive example our students have set in the community."

Anniversary festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a 90-minute open house featuring a magic show by Gary Blankenship, who is among the scores of black belts trained by Master Jolly at South Eastern Karate. Refreshments will be served.

The celebration continues at 6 p.m. with the reunion welcoming International Grandmaster Young Taek Yu of Young Yu Tae Kwon Do in Greensboro, who helped establish South Eastern Karate in 1982, originally as a branch of his own school.

A native of Seoul, South Korea, Grandmaster Yu came to the United States in 1972 to teach the Moo Duk Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do, having served previously as instructor at Hang Yang University and the Tae Kwon Do Main School, both in Seoul.

He earned the title of Korean Welterweight Champion in 1971 and served as a delegate from the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Union to the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Korea, where the art was unveiled, originally as a demonstration sport.

Both events will be held at the flagship school in Siler City.

Reunion news is available on the school Web site at southeasternkarate.com/reunion.htm. South Eastern Karate adult black belts who have not received an invitation by mail are asked to contact reunion organizers at 919-542-5298 or reunion@southeasternkarate.com.

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