Former students Salvador Caballero Tribiño
and his sister Maria sent holiday greetings from Spain.
Salvador writes, "This summer I´ll try to go to the U.S. for a couple of weeks, so if I can, I´ll pay you a visit. My greetings for everybody, specially Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Ricky, Christina, Edgar, TJ." Maria writes, "I checked out your website. I was surprised when I saw Salvador and me
stretching... Two years ago we started to do kick boxing ... but it was nothing compared to what we did in Martial Arts so, a year later, we gave it up... Hugs and kisses for everyone, specially to Mr. and
Mrs. Roberts, and Ricky." You can contact them at polvochoa@yahoo.es and mapi9290@hotmail.com, repectively.

We're sad to see one of our new black belts, Kat, leave us. She headed to New Orleans after the exam for personal reasons but will always have friends here. Good luck, Kat!

Black belt Caitlin Greenfield has been participating in a leadership training program for Jewish young adults in Connecticut (see her full note at the Rockville dojo). She also just completed the 2-day, 135-mile Hazon‚s 2004 New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride over the Labor Day weekend. The ride raised money to help promote environmental awareness and to add the Jewish community's voice to calls for environmental responsibility.The ride is over, but donations are still needed. Anyone who wishes can donate online — click on Sponsor Rider, and then plug in "Caitlin Greenfield" — or send a check to Hazon with her name in the memo section and mail it to her at 58 Johnson Rd., Falls Village, CT 06031. Donations are tax deductible.

Another black belt Mickey Knox is off studying in Vietnam this fall. Anyone who wants to keep tabs on him, here's his travel blog: www.xanga.com/MickeyKnox  

Laurel student Stephen Kerpelman is a young man of many talents. One of those talents — cooking — was recently written about in a local newspaper: http://www.hometownannapolis.com/food1.html. Now we know who will be cooking this year's dinner for our holiday banquet!

Kim Studio black belt Sean Bulson made the local evening news last month (Aug. 27, 5p.m.) on NBC4! Sean, who is the principal at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, appeared in a story about new dress code policies.

Hershenson Wedding
Rachel Hershenson is pleased to announce her wedding to Jeremi Tyler, a former high school classmate. The couple wed on August 31, 2003 at the Sheraton Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Jeremi should fit right in with the Kim Studio family — he holds a black belt in jujitsu!

The couple honeymooned on a cruise to the Virgin Islands.

Campbell Wedding
We had a wonderful ecumenical wedding on June 29th, blessed by a catholic priest and a buddhist friend. Under a sunny sky, almost all our dear friends and relatives were present for our special day: friends from contra-dance, and our friends from Kim Studio.

Conor, son of 2nd degree black belt Jim Gillis, was our thoughtful ring bearer, Joanne Galindo, 2nd degree black belt was Hop's maid of honor, and Matt Gammon, 3rd degree balck belt was Colin's usher and forceful greeter. Also present were 2nd degree black belts Jim Gillis and his family, Clare and Cary Wong, Katie and Lisa, 3rd and 4th degree black belt Paul and Christina Brackna, 3rd degree black belts Ben Losman, John Sorensen and Deborah, as well as Marla Argentar, Jenna and Hunt Gammon, Jamie Bono and Anna, Andrew Schwartz.

Our karate friends showed our contra dance friends that they were as fierce dancers as martial artists, and Jenna and Lisa caught the bridal bouquet together (see pictures)!!

We would like to thank all our friends for their thoughtfulness and generosity, and for making our special day even more special.

Hershenson Engagement
Rachel Hershenson is pleased to announce her engagement to Jeremi Tyler, a former high school classmate. The couple are planning an August 2003 wedding at Pennsbury Manor in Pennsylvania. Jeremi should fit right in with the Kim Studio family — he holds a black belt in jujitsu!

Kristin M. Pataki
Kristin M. Pataki, a 24-year-old Maryland-National Capital Park Police officer, passed away May 4, 2002 while on duty. She had recently moved to the area with hew fiancé and was a new addition to our school. A colleague of 3rd Dan Matt Gammon, she joined Kim Studio as a white belt about 2 months ago and often trained during Tuesday and Thursday classes. Although she had not been with us very long, Kristin was a happy, enthusiastic student with an energetic attitude.

Donations may be made in Kristin's name to the Maryland-National Capital Park Police K-9 Unit c/o Montgomery Parks Foundation, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda MD 20817. A story about Kristin also appeared in The Washington Post and The Montgomery Gazette.

Wedding Bells
Third degree black belts Christina McLauchlan and Paul Brackna were the fourth Kim Studio couple to tie the knot in 2001. The couple was married October 20 at Great Falls United Methodist Church in Great Falls, Virginia. Peter Butler (3rd dan) served as best man and Megan Kirchberg (2nd dan) served as Maid of Honor. Lynn Butler (2nd dan) and Annie Roberts (yellow belt) were also in the wedding party. The reception was held at the Grand Atrium in Tyson's Corner and the couple honeymooned on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Maui.Murphy

Hartman-Galindo Wedding
Joanne Hartman, a Kim Studio 2nd degree black belt, became Mrs. Michael Galindo on September 8, 2001. The two were wed at Kay Chapel on the campus of Joanne’s alma mater, American University. A reception followed at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Friendship Heights. After the wedding, Joanne plans to continue her work at a D.C.-based mediation organization while Michael will start teaching music as a band director for local Catholic schools.

Sorenson Wedding
Black Belt John Sorenson and his wife Deborah were married June 9, 2001 in the Appalachian mountains near Luray, VA. John updates us: "We were blessed with absolutely perfect weather, blue skies, and a cool breeze. Deborah was stunning as you can see. She literally took my breath away when I saw her. We went on our honeymoon to Scotland for two weeks."