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Colleges from around the world have Shotokan Karate-do classes and clubs. Why can't high
schools have the same type of training? Karate was introduced to the Okinawan middle schools back in 1922. Now it's 2006 and
I'm trying to bring that type of training to local high schools in Rhode Island. Warwick Vets High School is the first high
school to have a traditional Shotokan Karate club. In 1998, Prof. Martin and Shihan Christopher J. Dacey started a Shotokan
Karate Club at St. Peter's Catholic School in Warwick, Rhode Island which lasted for seven years. Out
of sixty children, seven became Junior Black Belts. That same year, Prof. Martin started another Shotokan Karate
club at Nathan Bishop Middle School which lasted for seven years. Out of thirty teenagers, one has made
his Black Belt. He was twelve years old when he started, and now Sensei James Coleman is twenty years old with
a 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate-do. He is one of the best instructors that R.I. Shotokan Karate-do Honbu Dojo
has, along with Prof. Martin's son, Renshi Jeramy E. Devlin-Martin, a twenty year-old 4th Dan. Renshi started studying
at the age of two with his father. Renshi Jeramy is the youngest high ranking Black Belt in the country with a 5th Dan
in Shojukempo Ryu Karate-do, and a 4th Dan in Shotokan Karate-do. He was also in the club at Nathan Bishop Middle
School. No one knew that Jeramy was a Black Belt in Karate-do! There will be more on this story in a few weeks!
Teaching traditional Shotokan Karate-do in the Rhode Island high schools is definitely needed.
With all the cuts in after-school programs and the closing of Boys & Girls clubs, our young boys and girls need
a place to let off steam!Shotokan Karate-do can do this and more! It's not about winning all the time: it's
about you. Shotokan Karate-do can help you in so many ways!
1. Confidence
2. Self-Control
3. Discipline
4. Spirit
5. Awareness
6. Academics
7. Self-Defense
8. Respect
9. Honor
10. Perfection
I have been training in the art of Shotokan Karate-do since 1976. It has been thirty-one
years and I'm still learning about myself. Shotokan Karate-do is a lifetime learning experience; it's
not about fighting, hurting, or winning. It's about keeping one's self in tune with life.
Karate-do teaches you about yourself, how to be a better person, father, mother, brother,
sister, friend. It's not about taking another person's life; it's about respecting life and everything around it!
Karate can be used to keep one's self in shape or in good health. Master Funakoshi
was very sick when he was a young boy, but Karate-do helped him to stay fit and in shape! My mentor, Master Jody Gibson, would
say to me that Karate-do helps you to keep your dark side in check. It's like you are competing with yourself!
Karate-do can be used in so many ways, like helping young people cope with their problems!
Too many of our young people are getting into trouble. Teaching traditional Shotokan Karate-do to our young men and women
can make a such difference in their lives.
Dr. Andrea Hainey-Turcotte, known to all as Dr. H.T., is an English teacher at
Warwick Vets High School. She is a student under me and Shihan Christopher J. Dacey, who introduced her to
Karate-do. She and I started a Karate club at Warwick Vets in September 2006. More and more students are coming to her
about classes every day, and even asking the other students about classes too! Between Dr. H-T and me, we have given these
young people something worthwhile to look forward to. Their academics and grades are rising all the time!
I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO BRING SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO TO THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS IN THE RHODE ISLAND AREA!
Renshi Jeramy E. Devlin yodan ( 4th Dan )
Sensei James Coleman Nidan ( 2nd Dan )
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