West of the Moon ATA holds June testing at its Oswego location

June 9, 2012 - PRLog -- For three students, testing began at 9:00a.  Alexzia Ramirez, Tim Cornish and Jake Cornish were testing for black belt rank.  As part of their test, those students were required to run a mile for each degree of rank they were testing for.  The black belt candidates were joined by a large group of other students and parents to support them.

The black belt run started and ended at West of the Moon's Oswego location.  Due to the warm temperatures, students were not required to run in their traditional white uniforms.  School owner Nick Zorn and student John Kean followed the runners in a vehicle supplying water and encouragement.

Shortly after the runners returned to the school, the first testing began for the lower ranks.

The judging panel consisted of three high-ranking black belt judges: Mrs. Charlotte Kennerly (3rd degree), Mr. Nick Zorn (4th degree) and Dr. Sarah Perry (5th degree).

As with every testing, students demonstrated all of the material they'd learned in class over the last 10 weeks.  Beginner students were required to perform their form, one-step sparring, and self-defense.  The judging panel scored students based on their performance.  It took just over an hour for the first testing group to finish, and they were all awarded new rank.

The second testing group included all of the intermediate, advanced and black belt ranks.  Just like the first group, students demonstrated the material they learned in class.  Students in the second group performed their forms, self-defense, free-sparring, and board breaks.

At the conclusion of the second testing, three West of the Moon students were awarded new black belt rank.

Classes will resume on Monday 6/11.  New students are welcome at any time, but the beginning of a testing cycle is the ideal time to join.  For more information about West of the Moon's martial arts program, visit their web site at www.myataschool.com.