The Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program celebrated its 6th Open House & Holiday Food Drive in front of a packed house on December 12 with demonstrations by local children, teens, and adults; giving away 27 raffle prizes; and, collecting food for the Senior Nutrition Program.
 

Snake Race		Ready For Action
GETTING READY FOR MORE ACTION: Participants in the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program get ready for their 6th Open House & Holiday Food Drive.

 

“Everyone did a great job,” said MSMAP head instructor Chuck Buhs. “It’s a challenge to learn some of these skills, but our participants were able to incorporate much of their own ideas into the program and express themselves with a lot of creativity.”

“This was an exciting event,” said Lourdes Schrievers, mother of 7-year-old Chris and spectator at four open house events. “I was surprised to see the new and stunning performances. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.”

Several spectators and participants mentioned the yongmudo (Korean self-defense) portion of the evening as being a highlight.

Brooklyn, 9, enjoyed the yongmudo portion because “it was fun and funny and made the open house not seem so serious.”

Touson Saryon, father of three children in the program and volunteer as the barrier for the yongmudo teens and adults, agreed.

“It was fun, and I wasn’t really worried, but it did feel kind of strange being jumped over while sitting in a chair — a new experience for me,” said Touson. “The kids weren’t even concerned. They thought it was funny.”

“The open house was very cool,” said Brooklyn’s father, Collin. “My parents thought it was very neat to see what the kids work on everyday. Brook especially enjoyed watching the older students because she likes to see what lies ahead for her. It’s nice to see a goal to work towards.”
 

Basic Techniques	Advanced Group
GETTING READY FOR MORE ACTION: Participants in the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program get ready for their 6th Open House & Holiday Food Drive.

 

As part of the year-end celebration, two of the older students, Cameron Peck, 17, and Lily Weaver, 12, were recognized for their special contributions to the program over the past 12 months.

In addition to winning their competitions at U.C. Berkeley (Cameron in yongmudo and taiji; Lily in taekwondo), passing their rank promotion exams, and volunteering at several important events such as fundraisers and demonstrations, they each helped the program in unique ways.

Dive Rolls: Low	Dive Rolls: Up...	...and Over	Victory Celebration
GETTING READY FOR MORE ACTION: Participants in the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program get ready for their 6th Open House & Holiday Food Drive.

 

Lily kept busy throughout the year. She organized her family in planting and caring for the flower garden in front of the studio, decorating and organizing Halloween activities, and often being the first person to show up and prepare for special events like this open house. Cameron helped at the women’s self-defense workshop held in July with the Siskiyou Domestic Violence & Crisis Center and the Mount Shasta Recreation and Parks District. He is also applying his training in yongmudo as his senior project at Yreka High School.

“Both Lily and Cameron set fine examples of what we’re all about,” said Buhs. “They train consistently, they gladly help out when asked, and lead by example. To paraphrase Maya Angelou: ‘Our mission is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.’”

“The studio is like a second home to Chris,” added Lourdes. “He loves the training and instruction he gets on a daily basis not to mention the great time he has with the other kids. I have no doubt that being part of this group is what he needs and is helping him to grow to be a better person.”

Snake Race	Ready For Action	And, we're done. Thank you!
GETTING READY FOR MORE ACTION: Participants in the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program get ready for their 6th Open House & Holiday Food Drive.

 

”Our continued success is a result of enthusiastic community participation,” said Buhs. “Especially for this annual event, we appreciate all the contributions from local businesses. Their support allows us not only to raise much-needed funds to keep going strong but to also share some holiday cheer with the gift of food.”
 

District Administrator Mike Rodriguez said “it’s so generous of the students and families associated with the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program to reach out to our seniors during the holidays. We know many of our seniors won’t be sharing the holidays with their family or be sitting down to a big Christmas meal, but the thoughtfulness of this food donation is sure to make their Christmas a little more merry.”

Senior Nutrition Program
The Recreation and Parks District is the official provider for the senior meal program thru a contract with the California Department of Aging and Planning and Service Area 2 - Agency on Aging. Year-round donations of food and money for the Senior Nutrition Program can be made by calling 926-2494.

“Since 1974, there has been a hot lunch program for senior citizens at the City Park Recreation Center...55+ meals are delivered to homebound seniors in the South County (Home Delivered Meals). Transportation to and from the Mt. Shasta lunch site is also available...The Senior Nutrition Program strives to not only meet the nutritional needs of its senior participants, but also recognizes the importance of socialization and life enrichment. Informational programs, special events, and other activities are a regular component of the senior lunch program schedule.”

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MSMAP's Open House
Each December, MSMAP hosts an Open House & Holiday Food Drive to celebrate the holidays with a unique, martial arts-based event of action, prizes, and food donations. First held in 2008, it is a chance for participants to display their growing skills and help those in need.

MSMAP's Open House

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