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2007 Archive

These notices appeared on our web site during the year and were moved off as they became obsolete. The calendar of events is at the end. Links were good at the time we posted them, but they often go bad after a while — we don't guarantee them.

Attention Black Belts

If you earned your black belt at our school but did not pick up your certificate, please contact Master Kim. We award black belts and certificates at belt tests, between the two test sessions. Please phone before the test day so that we can have everything ready for the ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, please arrive early wearing your uniform and current belt and be prepared to give a short speech.

Testimonial

On May 9, 2005, Masters SH Kim, HS Kim, and Shepler; Instructors Laura and Vicky; and two adult TKD students participated in The Potomac School's health day. Master Kim ran a well attended demo class for the middle school. We received this thank you note from Kerry Kirk, health department, The Potomac School:

S. H. Kim,

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and expertise with our students. For the past two years, your activity for health day is the favorite! Also, please thank all of your volunteers for helping!

Many thanks,
Kerry Kirk

Attention High School Students

As you think about college, consider what you might write on your college application:

Good: Earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 13.

Better: Have a 1st degree TKD black belt and am working on my 2nd degree.

Best: I am a TKD 2nd degree black belt candidate, perform with my school's demo team, and assist the instructors and masters in teaching my junior students. A letter of recommendation from Grandmaster Soon Ho Kim is attached.

If you help out teaching, your instructors get to know you better and will better be able to write you an outstanding letter of recommendation. Make an appointment to see Master Kim if you are interested in becoming an assistant in the children's classes.

Mature middle school students looking for opportunities to enhance their high school applications may also meet with Master Kim (along with their parents) to discuss options.

Poomse CD-Rom

We have for sale a CD-ROM with all the tae geuk poomse and the first three black belt forms! You get to choose one of five characters (or all 5 in a group) and one of five locations (outside, in a dojang, etc.) as the setting and then can watch the form from different angles. It has a cool, 3-D look to it. Makes a great gift and will help you prepare for your next belt test! See Master Kim to purchase one today! Supplies are limited.

Student Jim P. offers us this helpful advice for setting up your poomse CD ROM:

1. Place the CD ROM in proper drive and follow prompts to install
2. Disregard instructions to register with idance (unless you can read Korean)
3. When prompt asks to launch Taekwondo Player, reply "yes"
4. If three files appear on a prompt, double left-click "taekwondo Player"
5. Otherwise, pick the poomse on the right (by number) and select class on the left
6. Use controls at bottom to play, pause, replay etc.
7. Place the pointer on the screen and move it about to change the perspective of the view (eg. view from above, behind or either side)

If you have a problem with these directions, email the webmaster who will put you in touch with Jim. He has generously agreed to help you by phone. "The CD is very cool and helpful," says Jim.

Help Improve our Web Site

If you wish to contribute any ideas or materials for our school website, contact our webmaster, Ms. Linnell, either in person or by email.

Farewell to Tom

Saturday, January 13, was the last day for black belt candidate Tom. Tom's job is taking him to Africa for a few years. His son will continue to train with us until the family joins Tom this summer. Master Kim advised them both to keep training and return here as 2nd or 3rd dan black belts. Tom promised to drop in and visit any time business brought him to our area. We wish them well on their new adventure.

Taekwondo Song Lyrics & Anthem Contest

The World Taekwondo Federation is holding a contest to develop a taekwondo song lyric and anthem to be used during official taekwondo celebrations and events. Contest rules and the application form can be found on the WTF website. The prize for the winning anthem is US $5,000 and winning lyrics is US $3,000. The application deadline is January 31, 2007. WTF website

Severe Weather Policy

In case of bad weather, please check our web site before coming to class. Depending on the conditions around the school, we may need to cancel classes. We will make every effort to announce on this site if we are open or closed. If there is no notice and you are unsure, please call us first. Your safety is our top priority.

January Belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Friday, January 26, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to purple belt
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children blue belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on "promotion" on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

January Belt test

Students who earned belts at the January 26, 2007, test will receive them in their regular classes.

Despite the four-day school holiday weekend, we had a good turn-out for the test. There were about 33 children at the first test and 33 22 children and adults at the second one. Between the tests, Master Kim awarded black belts to 8 students. Four other new black belts could not attend, but were remembered by all of us: Tom, who moved to Kenya; Petra, who returned to Germany; Angela; and Adeline.

The eight students awarded black belts and black belt pins at Friday's test were: James, Michael, Rachel, Tajin, Trip, Christopher, Andrew, and Tess. Their certificates and cards from the Kukkiwon will be awarded as soon as they arrive from Korea. Congratulations!

Snow and Ice Won't Stop Us

A few brave souls made it to class Tuesday night and found both Masters Kim and Baek teaching. They will be there tonight (2/14), as well. So if you can get out of your driveway, come on over and train with us this Valentine's Day.

March Belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Friday, March 23, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to blue belt
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children high blue belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on "promotion" on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

Custom Fit Mouth Guards

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has arranged to provide athletes with the opportunity to get a custom fit mouth guard for $25. Impressions will be taken on May 30th from 4-8 pm at the TJ Athletic Boosters' Sports Physicals Fundraiser.

If you wish to participate, please call TJ's trainers at 703-750-8387 to let them know you are coming and bring the completed permission form and a check for $25.00 (payable to West Potomac Academy/Dental) with you on May 30th.

If you wear braces, you'll need a note from your orthodontist approving of the fitted mouth guard.

TJ website
TJ Colonial Athletic Boosters website
Mouth Guard info and form

May belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to high blue belt
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children red belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on "promotion" on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

May belt test

Belts will be awarded in classes, beginning on Monday, June 4.

July belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Friday, July 27, 2007 . Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to high blue belt
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children red belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on Promotion on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

Belt Test rescheduled

The belt test originally scheduled for July 27, 2007, was moved to August 3 due to a death in Master Kim's family.

Belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to high blue belt
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children red belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on Promotion on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

Belt test

Belts earned at the test on Friday, August 3, 2007 will be awarded in classes beginning August 6.

Belt test

The next belt test is scheduled for Friday, September 28, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Children, white belt to high blue belt
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. All adults plus children red belt to black belt

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on Promotion on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

If you need to make special arrangements regarding the belt test, please check with Master Kim or Master Baek before the test day.

SH Kim School at USA Today

On September 18, 2007, SH Kim US Tae Kwon Do participated in the wellness fair at USA Today in Tysons Corner. Master Kim, Instructor Vicky, Carlo, and Ramsey demonstrated punching, kicking, poomse, sparring, and breaking.

Belt test

Belts earned at the test on Friday, September 28, 2007, will be awarded in classes beginning on Monday, October 1.

* * * *   New in October 2007   * * * *

After school program
Transportation from local schools

* * * * * *   Call for details   * * * * * *

Thanksgiving Holiday — November 22

We will be open Monday through Wednesday and then closed the rest of the week. Classes resume on Monday, November 26. Have a safe and joyful holiday.

Belt Test

The next belt test is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2007. Please get your completed application, check, and (children only) copy of your latest report card to one of the Masters or Instructors BEFORE the test day.

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. — Children, white belt to high blue belt
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — All adults plus children, red belt to black belt

*** Between tests there will be a TKD demonstration ***

There will be no classes during the tests. Be on time and look sharp. Bring sparring gear to the test. Click on Promotion on the side bar for help getting ready for the test.

There are photos and videos of all taegeuk and blackbelt poomse on the Kukkiwon's select poomsae web page. (A high speed internet connection works best.)

If you need to make special arrangements regarding the belt test, please check with Master Kim or Master Baek before the test day.

Bo Black Belt (pre-blackbelt) Candidates

If you recently tested for Bo Black belt, you must attend the next test to receive your belt. If you have any questions, please speak to Master Kim.

Calendar of Events

January

Monday, January 15, 2007 — Open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Friday, January 26, 2007 — Belt test.

February

February 15-18, 2007 — US Open in Orlando, FL.

http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/88_1498.htm

March

March — Belt test.

March 17-18, 2007 — National Qualifier #1 in Dallas, TX.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1589.htm

March 23, 2007 — Belt test.

March 31, 2007 — Sub-Regional Qualifier in Ft. Richardson, AK.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1599.htm

April

April 2-6, 2007 — Open during spring break.

April 14-15 — National Qualifier #2 in Portland, OR.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1590.htm

April 21-22 — National Qualifier #3 in Providence, RI.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1592.htm

April 28-29 — National Qualifier #4 in Kansas City, Mo.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1593.htm

May

May — Belt test

May 13, 2007 — Mother's Day.

May 18-22 — 18th (11th Women's) World Taekwondo Championships in Beijing, China.
http://www.wtf.org/site/events/wtf_event.htm?realnum=21&page=1&keyword=&part=&mode=view

May 19, 2007 — McLean Day.

May 26-27 — National Qualifier #5 in Miami, FL.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1594.htm

May 28, 2007 — Closed for Memorial Day.

May 31, 2007 — Belt test.

June

June 2-3 — National Qualifier #6 in Fresno, CA.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1595.htm

July

July 2-7 — Nation AAU TKD Championship in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
http://aautaekwondo.org/2007%20National%20Packet/PDF%20files/Infosheet.pdf

July 10-15 — National TKD Championship/Junior Olympics in San Jose, CA.
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/2007JO_SENIOREVENTSCHEDULE.pdf

July 27, 2007 — Belt test.

August

August 3, 2007 — Belt test.

August 1-4 — AAU Junior Olympic Games in Knoxville, TN.
http://www.aaujrogames.org/taekwondo.php

September

September 3, 2007 — Closed Labor Day.

September 28, 2007 — Belt test.

October

November

November 12, 2007 — Open on Veteran's Day

November 22-25, 2007 — Closed for Thanksgiving.

December

December 2-8, 2007 — Belt test sometime during this week.

December 4, 2007 — Belt test.

December 24, 2007 — Closed on Christmas Eve.

December 25, 2007 — Closed on Christmas.

December 31, 2007 — Closed on New Year's Eve.

January

January 1, 2008 — Closed on New Year's Day.