Promotions at Gillam Grant Karate - (left to right front) Gina Wyffels and Jerry Ciriello (Yon-Dan); Brian Jesse, Lauren Laurer, Elisha Garcia (Sho-Dan) Merrie Lou Nagel, Mike Le and Son Le (San-Dan); (back row) Angel Garcia Jr. (Ni-Dan).

Black Belt tests at Gillam Grant Karate

In recent karate black belt promotion tests held at the Gillam Grant Center in Byron-Bergen, Sensei Gina Wyffels and Sensei Jerry Ciriello were promoted to Yon-Dan (4th degree black belt). Sensei(s) Mike Le, Son Le and Merrie Lou Nagel were promoted to San-Dan (3rd degree black belt). All have trained for many years in Isshin Ryu Karate under Shihan Cyndy Jones and teach karate classes.

A Ni-Dan (2nd degree) promotion was earned by Sensei Angel Garcia Jr. who recently returned from military service in Iraq. Elisha Garcia (wife of Angel), Lauren Laurer and Brian Jesse were promoted to Sho-Dan (1st degree black belt). Garcia and Laurer were given the title of Sensei (teacher). Jesse, who is eleven years old, earned the title of Junior Leader.

In addition, Amber McGrath and Dean Bates earned brown belts. Lynn Heath and Dusty Gutowski were promoted to blue belt.