August Newsletter
Student of the month - MATI KANTAROVSKYThe Student of the Month for August is Mati Kantarovsky! Mati is an all-around favorite here in Leadership and a well-known face at the dojo. He's been doing karate for 3 years and Leadership for 2, and we are proud to say he recently tested for his brown belt! He loves hanging around the older leaders as we plan class, has been getting more comfortable with drilling and teaching lately, and is a regular helper with the later Saturday classes as he waits for his older brother to finish class! Outside the dojo, Mati likes to play outside, read, and eat his favorite food, pasta. He can also speak fluent Hebrew, which I thought was a neat fact to include and one we may not all have picked up from knowing him! Leadership loves Mati and we can't wait to see where he goes!
8/3 to 8/7 Camp 3 - Summer of MythicalityWelcome to The Summer of Mythicality, our 2026 karate summer camp series where martial arts training meets myth, imagination, and adventure. While the Dragon, one of the Five Animals of Shaolin Kempo, serves as our central guide, campers will explore many mythical themes throughout the summer, drawing inspiration from legends, creatures, stories, and ancient traditions from around the world. Each camp is designed to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help kids discover their own spark.
8/14 - pre season sparring session 3Master Shover and Master Travis Paquette (a student of Master Shover’s Brother) for an open sparring session that will focus on traditional sparring AND competition sparring. Open to ages 12 and up, the sessions focus on defense, offense, footwork, and bag work to prepare students for upcoming open and out-of-state tournaments, including a premier event this November in Connecticut. Sign up via email or on the counter in the dojo (name age rank)8/15- 8/26 - Master Duffy will be unavailable 8/22 - Club training, 1pm - 3:308/25 (TUESDAY- Class modification) - Chi Kung with Master Shover 5;30-6:30 All are welcome. Beginners to experienced. Bring a friend or family member. Free/ no charge.8/28 - pre season sparring session 3Master Shover and Master Travis Paquette (a student of Master Shover’s Brother) for an open sparring session that will focus on traditional sparring AND competition sparring. Open to ages 12 and up, the sessions focus on defense, offense, footwork, and bag work to prepare students for upcoming open and out-of-state tournaments, including a premier event this November in Connecticut. Sign up via email or on the counter in the dojo (name age rank)
8/29 Leadership open enrollment Open enrollment for leadership is August 29thth at 8am and all new and returning Leaders need to be here. Parents if you are interested, we invite you to join us for a brief Q&A with your kiddo, meet the team, and see what we are about. Our program has been functioning for nearly 25 years and in that time, we have helped guide kids to stronger, healthier, more confident, and well-rounded lives. We believe that it takes a village to raise a child and we are only but a part of it to help you and them to achieve their goals. Within leadership they will learn interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, how to take on and lead projects, be a peer mentor, public speaking, and so much more including and not limited to volunteer work, fundraising, and have an opportunity to be a board member on our own not for profit organization. A lot of time and effort goes into each of these kids as a group and as an individual and the benefits will reflect that when they graduate from the program. If you have questions about leadership please reach out to Master Duffy for more information
For those of you affected by the shutdown of the Fairfax community space classes are re-starting in August at the Westford
Satellite Locations:
CambridgeMonday - Cambridge Comm CtrKids 6-7pm, teen/adults 7-8pm- j3rod.richardson@gmail.comFerrisburghSaturday - Ferrisburgh Town HallKids 9-10am, teen/adult 10-11am- shaolinkarate@myfairpoint.netRichmondTuesday - Richmond Elem SchKids 6-7pm, pre-teens 7-8pm- villarisselfdefensecenters@gmail.comWillistonFriday - REC ZoneKids ages 5-7 6pm, preteen/teen ages 8-11 7pmWestfordWestford Common Hall21 Brookside Rd, WestfordKids 6-7pm, teen/adults 7-8pm- j3rod.richardson@gmail.com
After School Programs:
CharlotteWednesday - Charlotte Central SchGrades K-6th grade- villarisselfdefensecenters@gmail.comColchester Tuesday - Malletts Bay SchGrades 3-5 tgshaolin@gmail.comColchester Thursday - Union Memorial SchGrades K-2 tgshaolin@gmail.comColchester Friday - Porters Point SchGrades K-2 tgshaolin@gmail.comRichmond Tuesday - Main Dojo So BurlGrades K-5 villarisselfdefensecenters@gmail.comComing soon Fletcher and Westford??
