Summit Academy’s therapeutic martial arts promotion ceremonies mark a time of celebration. Students showcase their katas, board-breaking skills and, above all, their dedication and drive to succeed.
“These are my favorite events of the year,” says Shihan Chuck Rickard, 5th Dan, who leads Summit Academy’s Therapeutic Martial Arts program. “The senseis’ dedication to improving our students’ social, emotional and physical skills is truly commendable. When our students are enabled in a positive way, with the structure of the therapeutic martial arts program, they cannot only rise to the occasion but surpass everyone’s expectations.”
At Summit Academy – Parma’s December 19 therapeutic martial arts promotion ceremonies, students in grades 7-12 earned belts ranging from white to brown with a stripe (2nd kyu), which was presented to Yomar David. Dominic Seifer also received his brown belt (3rd kyu). Both students are on the Summit Academy Ju Jitsu Team.
“All the students did fantastic and really showed their skills,” says Shihan Dave Chance, Ph.D., 8th Dan. Shihan Chance noted that all his students demonstrated striking techniques ate and ashi (hand and feet), followed by katas, bokken nine step and bokken kata, ukemi (breakfalls), Judo nagewaza (throwing), self-defense and Ju Jitsu holds and submissions. The students also demonstrated board breaking with most of the young martial artists breaking multiple boards at once.
In addition, at Summit Academy – Parma’s February 5 elementary therapeutic martial arts ceremonies, some 45 students earned belts
ranging from orange to blue. Sensei Carolyn Berkheimer says her students displayed incredible focus, determination and perseverance.
“It’s incredible to watch them and be a part of helping them learn and grow and guide 
them in improving their martial arts skills. I am very proud of all of them,” says Sensei Berkheimer. “Our family turnout was really good, and I am grateful that so many came to support their students.”
Most recently, Sensei James Gydosh welcomed audiences of family and staff members to Summit Academy Akron Elementary School’s February 19 promotion ceremonies. He explained that therapeutic martial arts teach students to remove barriers and gain skills necessary for success. Gydosh, a Summit Academy alumnus, says he
learned this lesson personally as a young martial arts student.
During the ceremonies, fifth-grade student Ja’Riyah was among 
other peer mentors who led younger schoolmates through a series of katas. Cheers from family members followed.
“It’s always a pleasure seeing both our students and their parents’ faces reflect the pride that they feel about their accomplishments,” says Rickard.