Outlaw Martial Arts holds belt test

Outlaw Martial Arts held a huge belt-testing event last month at Sisters Middle School.

Outlaw Martial Arts, founded and run by tae kwon do Master Marty Kaczmarek, tested about half of their 70 students on a Saturday in the middle school gym.

Martial artists are tested periodically on their progression in skill and knowledge. Students are tested on their knowledge of tae kwon do, Korean terminology and their practice of the five tenets of tae kwon do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.

Their skills are tested by demonstration of one-step movements, poomsae or forms, sparring and board breaking.

The test was judged by Master K and his panel of black belts: Ms. Sherri Hermens, Dr. Rich Sauer, Ms. Sarah Wilder and Mr. Tate Kaczmarek. Tate is Master K's 7-year-old son who is a "recommended black belt" and will test for his 1st Dan, or 1st Degree Black Belt, this month. He has been training since he was 3 years old and attends 5-6 classes per week.

Another member of the Kaczmarek family who will be testing for 1st Dan Black Belt in a few months is Tate's mom - and Master K's wife - Jaymie. Currently holding the highest rank under black belt, high brown belt, Jaymie passed her test and has been recommended for black belt.

The other students who tested and the rank they achieved are:

High Brown Belt: Tanner Kaczmarek.

Brown Belt: Hogan Warner, Wyatt Warner, Shawn Kelm, and Brendan Sickau.

High Red Belt: Conner Bell.

Red Belt: Kim Manley, Nick Manley and Mike McClellan.

High Blue Belt: Xavi West, Dave Huni, Doug Huni, Bridget Huni, Jaxon Barry and Zack Gulick.

Blue Belt: Claudia Rincon, Anessa Stotts, Julie Stotts, Mike Dyer, Bevyn Dyer, Hudson Dyer, and Blake Bell.

High Green Belt: Baylor Dyer.

Green Belt: Luke Hull, Rob Jeffrey, Lex Jeffrey, and Nicolas Oncken.

Yellow Belt: Kathryn Buller, Quinten Slaughter, and Carson Slaughter.

Camo Belt: Joey Clark, Preston Krone, Colin Palmer and Brohgan Staudenmaier.

During the belt-testing awards ceremony, Sherri Hermens, a long-time Outlaw Martial Arts student, instructor and a third-degree black belt was awarded Student & Black Belt of the Year.