The Joe "Buddy"Hurley Award
Awarded January 2006 to
Danny Barber
It all started about
twelve years ago when I was in the first grade. My older brother had been taking
karate for a few years, and my Mom suggested that I join too. I did, and my
first day of karate went about as well as a pig trying to fly. It was tough, and
I struggled to even make it through the warm ups. For the first few classes, I
swore I would never go back because I hated that I couldn't do the moves
correctly or remember how the katas went. However, my parents and teachers
didn't let me quit that easily.
I thought the first
year was going to be the most difficult part. After getting through that, I felt
like the rest of my karate training would be easy. But I was wrong again. It was
always a challenge, and I would never understand what that did for me until I
was much older.
As I progressed
through the ranks, I remember not always wanting to go to class because I would
rather watch TV or play video games. I even thought about quitting for a while.
My parents, and especially Steve, convinced me that I would regret it later on.
After a long talk, I decided I would stay with karate. This was probably the
best decision I have ever made.
I think I was a brown
belt when the effects of karate really started to become evident. I was stronger
than the majority of kids my age, and had a lot more stamina. I felt like I had
character and personality, which I'm now sure karate helped to define. However,
the biggest change I noticed was the people I was now training with. I was no
longer working out with the same kids I started with. Most had quit, including
my older brother who had recently earned the rank of Shodan. This was a turning
point for my training, and I finally realized the passion I had for learning
karate.
I first started
teaching as a requirement for my junior black belt. I led the warm ups for the
first time and it was probably the scariest experience I have ever had. I never
thought I would be so nervous leading a class of white belts, but it was a lot
harder than I could have ever anticipated. I really liked teaching. I worked
well with the kids and I found teaching them gave me a better understanding of
what I was working on. The kids are now a big part of my training and I love
working with them.
Teaching is probably
my favorite part about karate in general. This past summer, I was given the
opportunity to take teaching to the next level when I became the karate
instructor at Maplewood Day Camp. The directors were originally very skeptical
about hiring a 16 year old to lead such a large program, but after a discussion
with Steve, he reassured them I was capable of the job. The class was very
successful, and I had a great time teaching hundreds of kids basic martial arts.
I plan to return for several years to come. Karate has given me the chance to
work at a job that is not open to most people.
I am currently a
second degree black belt and have been studying karate for twelve years. Karate
has been, by far, the biggest influence of my life. The respect, discipline, and
character I developed as a result of karate cannot be taught anywhere else. I am
just now beginning to see all of what karate has done for me. The physical
aspects are obvious, yet the mental aspects are more difficult to grasp, but
much more important. The pride and general respect is something that will
undoubtedly help me in everything I will ever do. Karate carries over into my
academic life, providing me with solid work ethics and self-discipline to stay
at the head of the class. Karate has also helped me gain an edge on college
applications because admission representatives understand the character that
martial artists posses is a great quality to bring to a college or university.
Over the years, the
dojo has become a second home, and Steve a second father. I learn more from him
then any teacher I have ever had. I cannot thank him enough for all he has done
for me. I would also like to thank my other instructors who helped me for so
long: Rich, Kevin, Wilda, Donna, Marlin, Anthony, and especially Joe. Without
karate training, I would just be another face in the crowd. I now feel as if I
have a good character and personality that will provide me with the resources I
need to become an adult.
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