Karate enthusiasts earn black belts

In recent black belt promotion tests held at the Gillam Grant Center in Byron-Bergen, Sensei Melissa Suter was promoted to San-Dan (third degree black belt). Suter is 17 years old and has been training under Shihan Cyndy Jones since age seven. Suter assists her father, Sensei Jim Suter, in teaching a karate program at the YWCA in Batavia and helps with the Gillam Grant Karate program in Bergen. Suter earned a gold award in the Girl Scouts which is their highest level and is an honor student at Churchville-Chili High School.

Ni-Dan (second degree) black belts were earned by Sensei(s) Debbie Lamay, Mark Stutzman and Dave Zimmer. Ken Jackson, Juliann Nelson, Diana Dressler and Mike Dooley were promoted to Sho-Dan (first degree black belt). All were given the title of Sensei (teacher). In addition, Lauren Laurer was elevated to Sempai. Dan Beszczynski, Nicholas Gartley, Keith Hadley and Michael Sananikone earned brown belts. Amber McGrath was promoted to blue belt.

For information on the Gillam Grant (Collamer-Jones) karate program, call Shihan Cyndy Jones at 548-2801 or the Center at 494-1621. New summer classes for ages five and up start Saturday, June 26.