Maureen Ryan has been a member of the MPSMA family since 2000. She is a tireless advocate for women's participation in martial arts. She attributes the physical and mental training of kenpo to making her a vital and "young" grandmother of two, Simon and Shannon. She enjoys all aspects of her training, especially assisting with the younger students, and loves when they call her "Sensei Nanna".
Luanne Snow
Dean Menchions was inspired as a teenager to join the MUN Shotokan Karate Club in 1990 by watching the first Karate Kid movie . Dean achieved his blue belt in Shotokan at the MUN club before his professional life took him to Ontario. After a hiatus of a number of years Dean found a local Kung Fu club and moved up through the ranks to Triple Black Stripe. Three months away from a full black belt, he was offered a position as a Financial Advisor back home in Newfoundland. He moved home with his young family in 2007 and started training at MPSMA. He has since advanced to Brown belt . He is a very dynamic instructor and is very popular with the younger students whose numbers include his own children Abigail and Aidan.
Victoria Jackman began karate at the MPSMA in 2007 at the age of nine.She achieved her blue belt in 2010. She enjoys basketball, music, art, school, learning foreign languages such as Italian, and every positive experience life has to offer. Victoria is an assistant instructor in the 6:10 class and enjoys the experience very much
Kyle Corcoran
Josh Lane is a Level 1 student attending Mount Pearl Senior High School. Josh attended the children’s class about eight years ago, at which time he achieved yellow belt. He rejoined MPSMA in October of 2009. Josh totally committed himself to the goal of losing weight and in the process earned his blue belt by June 2010. Josh is interested in every aspect of martial arts. He enjoys grappling as well as kick boxing. mixed martial arts and has recently signed up for his High School wrestling team. Sensei Pat has commented that Josh's self confidence is "a direct result of his ( Josh's) commitment to training". Josh does his best to attend every Kenpo class early, both for extra practice, and to help with the earlier classes.
Nicholas Morgan joined the MPSMA school in September 2006 at the age of 9. Currently he has a blue belt. He enjoys playing the clarinet, chemistry, french and theology. Nicholas has high goals and expectations, and is striving to become a Orthodontist.
Christopher O' Halloran first joined MPSMA in 2008 at the age of 8. Since then he has reached the level of Blue belt and is vigourously working towards his Black belt. He enjoys helping the younger students and every opportunity.
He is very active in afterschool sports and enjoys drawing and everything related to art.
He is very active in afterschool sports and enjoys drawing and everything related to art.
John Hapgood has been with
MPSMA since 2007. John enjoys helping those in the younger classes. John is
active in Cross Country Running, Playing guitar, swimming and is very involved
with the scouting movement. John hopes to be the youngest black belt to
graduate from the school. John enjoys playing with his new dog Cara and sparring
with his brother in and out of class.
Jennifer Butt is a Grade 9 student at St. Peters Junior High. She particularly enjoys grappling in the MPSMA program. She joined when she was 10 and in grade 5.predominantly to help improve her balance and coordination as well as for the challenge it presented. She has been with the program for 6 years, and earned her Blue Belt in March 2011. Jennifer is very active and helpful with the younger students.
Sarah Newell is a grade 7 French Immersion student
at Villanova Junior High School. Sarah has been a member of the MPSMA since
September 2007 and currently holds a Blue belt which she achieved on June 9th, 2011. She enjoys playing her guitar,
walking dogs, computer related activities and just hanging out with her friends. In a few
years when she finishes school she would like to try and become a RNC officer.
Lexi Symonds began studying martial arts in Ontario in 2005 at the age of 7. She achieved her green belt in Gojo Ryu Karate before moving to Newfoundland in 2007 and achieved her Blue Belt in Kenpo Karate June 9th, 2011. She joined the MPSMA in December of 2007. She also enjoys volleyball, singing, flute, science, and reading
MacKenzie Morgan joined the MPSMA in September 2007, at the age of 10. Mackenzie achieved his Blue Belt in Kenpo Karate on June 9th, 2011. He enjoys tennis, soccer, basketball, language arts and math. Mackenzie plans to become a Police Officer, and will do anything to help accomplish this goal.
Lisa Canning is a manager with a local telecom Company. She joined the MPSMA in 2008 and due to her dedication, hard work and attitude she achieved her Blue belt January, 2011. Lisa is an avid yoga practitioner and studies Muay Thai as well. The confidence Lisa has developed in her self-defense abilities allows her to indulge her great love of travel. She works very well with the younger students and is a wonderful role model for the other ladies in the club.
John Lidstone joined the MPSMA at the age of six in 2004. He was awarded his blue belt in 2010. John is a dedicated French student who enjoys playing guitar and basketball. When John finishes school he plans to pursue a career in international law enforcement.
Steve Miller joined MPSMA at in 2006, he's now 35 years old .He was awarded his Green belt in 2008, before taking 2 years off due to school and an injury. Steve is a proud member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. "I love the mental and physical challenges of martial arts, but it's the people that make MPSMA so special. Though you have to be dedicated as an individual, we train hard as a group and support each other to reach our goals in and out of the dojo. "It truly is a family." Having the opportunity to help teach the Youth programs and give back to the MPSMA is a privilege for Steve. He hits the ski hills every chance he gets, and loves running and various types of exercising. He's Yankees fan in the summer and a Leafs fan in the winter, which makes for some humour/heated sparring sessions with that Hab's fan, Sensei Craig.
Nicole McCormack is a Level 2 French Immersion student at O'Donel High School. Nicole joined the children's class in 2002 where she obtained her orange belt. After a lengthy absence she returned in 2009 and currently holds a green belt. Nicole enjoys helping out the younger classes and is working toward her next belt.
Thomas Shepard
Jason Silver is an Internal Auditor with the City of St. John's. He started training with MPSMA in September 2009 as a white belt following in his son Michael's footsteps. Jason also volunteers in other community and professional capacity's and enjoys playing hockey, running, mountain biking and photography
