Perhaps never before, at least in recent memory, has the Grand Ballroom inside the award-winning Crowne Plaza taken on such a different and exciting look.
There was a ring of people, made up mostly of family, friends and proud parents, who covered a large portion of the ornate carpeting that’s usually reserved for prestigious parties like a Law Enforcement Hall of Fame or even a wedding.
On a recent Saturday, the Grand Ballroom was alive with a sea of white worn by 140 students who make up the classes at Mastery Martial Arts in Johnston and five other locations around Rhode Island that have become highly-popular and famous since they were founded by Greg Horton.
The students – children and adults alike who were dressed in white tops with a dragon on the back – gathered nervously as Johnston Chief Instructor Anthony Pezzillo said “to test for their near ranks at the Mastery Martial Arts Academy” that’s also located in Cranston, Smithfield, North Smithfield, East Greenwich and Cumberland.
“All our great students tried their best under the watchful eyes of numerous judges to earn their next level of black belt in the apprentice, decided on first or second degree areas,” Pezzillo offered. “It was really quite the impressive scene and event.”
Pezzillo, who heads the Mastery Martial Arts Academy located in the Burlington Coat Factor Shopping Area in Johnston, went on: “After a pep talk by owner [and founder] Greg Horton, the Grand Ballroom was a spacious testing area with students doing a grueling, timed “fit” test consisting of pushups, sit-ups and more.”
According to Pezzillo, 300 was the minimum magic number to reach and testers had to prove board-breaking skills using real wooden boards, do “dry” kicking on pads, perform kicking and punching with partners, complete 21 movement forms -- 61 for degrees -- and finish strong with kickboxing for certified black belts and degrees.
“These students spend years earning under ranks to get to a black belt,” Pezzillo said. “They prepare for special testing materials and pre-test prior to this day. They have a long legacy of former graduates in this academy that was founded 25 years ago and has expanded into six locations throughout the state.”
The program also included students winning recognition in a number of areas while some testers – all under age 15 – were recognized for their dedication beyond their martial arts skills.
Those students, Pezzillo said, committed to Mastery’s Leadership Program and earned certifications of recognition. Each child also completed 100 hours of public speaking in and out of the academy as well as another 100 hours of leading by example and doing a community project.
“Each of them participated in a school presentation focusing on a Life Skill like communication and they also trained in 10 leadership academies at other Mastery locations,” Pezzillo explained. “Success doesn’t happen by accident; it takes hard work, commitment and time. All the black belt candidates today showed amazing spirit and determination in the purist of their goal.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here