Applegater
Winter 2012 19
Karate continues to
rock Ruch School
BY mARGARET PERROW DELLA SANTINA
Tables and trash cans
pushed back against the walls,
the Ruch School cafeteria is
transformed twice a week into
a karate studio where students
practice kicking combinations,
self-defense maneuvers, and
“forms” under the watchful eyes
of their instructors. Loud “Aaii-
ya’s” reverberate off the walls, as
the students execute increasingly
complex spin kicks, reverse
punches, and other elements of
Tae Kwan Do, a Korean martial art whose
name means “the way of the hand and
the foot.”
Since September 2010, about 20
Ruch students have been participating in
this after-school karate program taught by
two black-belt instructors from America’s
Best Karate (ABK) in south Medford. The
instructors regularly remind the students
of their three basic “rules”: “be safe, have
fun, and learn something.” And learn they
do! The growth in their physical skills, self-
confidence, respect, and focus has been
very exciting to their instructors, to their
parents and teachers, and to the students
themselves. From the outset, each “belt
test” has brought opportunities for students
to demonstrate their accomplishments: as
early as the yellow-belt test in December
2010, each student was able to break a
board with a powerful side kick. A year
later at the December 2011 belt test, it
was exciting to see how far the students
have come, as they executed complicated
24-move palge forms (palge means “power”
in Korean) and spin-kick combinations
with focus and confidence.
The program was initiated by parents
who wanted a karate opportunity for their
elementary-age children, but did not want
to drive to Medford on school days. By
negotiating directly with Jeff Rumelhart
at ABK, we were able to work out a class
at a reasonable cost to parents. We are
grateful to Mr. Rumelhart and his staff,
who have been amazing in their willingness
to bring such a high-quality program to our
community. Thanks are also due to Ruch
School’s 2010-11 principal, Louis Dix,
who supported the idea from the outset,
made the facilities available, and welcomed
the ABK instructors to our school. Our
current principal, Julie Hill, and the school
staff have continued to enthusiastically
support karate at Ruch School. This
exciting and successful class represents
the kind of innovative programs that a
small rural school can implement when
parents, community, and administrators
work together and think creatively about
ways to support our children’s learning and
development.
Margaret Perrow della Santina
541-899-9950 • mperrow@sonic.net
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The Gater thanks you.
What a wonderful year we had in 2011
singing with our director Blake Weller for
three different sessions. We had concerts at the
Applegate Ranch House, the Old Presbyterian
Church in Jacksonville, and the Pacifica
Winter Festival in Williams.
We will be starting again this year
with Wednesday rehearsals at the Applegate
Library beginning January 25 and rehearsing
until April 11. We will end this first session
with two concerts: the first one on Friday,
April 13, at 7:30 pm at the Old Presbyterian
Church in Jacksonville, and the second one
at the Applegate Ranch House on Sunday,
April 15, at 3 pm.
Voices of the Applegate is a community
choir consisting of about 25 members.
Everyone is invited to join; no auditions are
required. Voices of the Applegate sings music
in four-part harmony: soprano, alto, tenor
and bass.
Even if you can’t join us for rehearsals,
please attend one of our free concerts and
share our joy in singing. We will also supply
refreshments at no charge, but donations are
welcome.
For more information, call Joan Peterson at 541-846-6988.
Applegate Valley Days
Weekend of June 22-24 • Cantrall-Buckley Park
► CALL FOR VENDORS ◄
Applegate Valley businesses are invited to apply for this
3-day community festival. Make some money, help the park,
join your community! Reasonable rates.
Apply to Ed Temple, Project Director
541-846-7769 • eltemple@dishmail.net