More than 200 Grand Masters, Masters, Shihans, Senseis and students of all levels, family and friends gathered May 12 for a Promotion and Award Ceremony at Dojo Dynamics Martial Arts School in downtown Sandwich. The event attracted guests from New Jersey, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, and martial artists from multiple systems and styles from all over the Midwest. Sensei Chuck Jennings received the Master Jack Walleck Memorial Award and five Dojo Dynamics Black Belts received various levels of promotion. Senseis Nick Spies, Ed Cornelius, and Reid Forth were promoted to 2nd Black Belts and Senseis Rick Hill and Glen Bloemker moved up to 3rd Degree Black Belts in Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te. Others promoted were four of the systems top black belts, Scott Francis, Mike Peura, Mark Nixon, and Hercle Brown. All four were promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt Master Level by the Grand Master Tom Heriaud, 10th Degree Black Belt. Three guests, Master Bob Hedesh, Master Bob Cusumano, and Master Bob Corwin each received the Society of Black Belts Lifetime Achievement Award, each with more than 50 years of training. Sandwich mayor Richard Olson and alderman Kevin Kelleher were in attendance to present Master Scott Francis with a letter of appreciation.
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