"Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.” – Dr. Seuss
Students from Kuk Sool Won™ of Menlo Park welcomed in the holiday season last weekend by sharing with their families and community. In the morning five members of the school’s leadership team played Elf in the Arts and Crafts Room for Breakfast with Santa at the Arrillaga Recreation Center.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Brown Belt Arthur Hodgett. The elves helped young guests create crafts like ornaments, pipe cleaner candy canes, bracelets, and raindeer. Parents of visiting children were overheard commenting on how polite and helpful these young leaders were.
“Not only was it good for the kids to be out in the community helping out, I think they had a lot of fun as well,” said Rich Quintana, Co-Owner of Kuk Sool Won™ of Menlo Park.
A study published this year entitled “It Starts with Character: Inspiring Kids & Teens to Volunteer” found that 88% of parents and 93% of teachers believe that volunteering provides opportunities for children to build character.
After helping Santa out, these young leaders joined their classmates and families at a year-end holiday celebration and demonstration. Instructors honored 19 students who promoted to a new belt rank at their last test. Included were Simon Danitz, Esveide Gonzalez, and Ronan Heisten who were promoted to Black Belt Candidate.
“I'm very proud of Esveide. She is an overachiever and she honestly gives it her best at everything she focuses on, we are proud parents,” Alicia Gonzalez said about her daughter’s promotion.
The promotion ceremony was followed by a potluck dinner and holiday cookie decorating, where older and younger students worked together to create edible art.
Kuk Sool Won™ of Menlo Park’s strong martial arts curriculum and the POWerful Words Character Development system provide our students with the opportunities to become UNSTOPPABLE in life. “These lessons will remain with our students for life and we're honored to help them achieve the success that they deserve,” says Quintana.
Richard Quintana is Co-Owner of Kuk Sool Won™ of Menlo Park Martial Arts and Character Development Academy and has helped thousands of kids, teens, and adults to embrace a positive and healthy lifestyle.
