Michael, Nancy, and Mollie Clampitt are hosting the United Academy of Martial Art’s 20th Anniversary Celebration this Sunday in downtown Morgan Hill.
Twenty years ago, Michael and Nancy were academic teachers dedicated to the education of our youth in Morgan Hill. While teaching at Live Oak High School, Michael decided to open a family martial arts studio, where people could develop personally as well as physically while training in tae kwon do and kang duk won. The studio was such a success that soon both he and Nancy made the United Academy of Martial Arts a full-time studio. Today, they want to say “thank you” to the community. They are inviting all of their current and former students, and anyone else who would like to celebrate from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at their studio, located at 17355 Depot St., in Morgan Hill.
The Wrinkles, a former UAMA black belt family, enjoyed the studio for many years and, after moving away, have stayed in touch with the UAMA community. Karen Wrinkle, a black belt and mother of two, had this to say about her martial arts experience and where her family is now, “While the four of us were earning our black belts, we became physically fit, self-disciplined, and part of a large group of friends that we consider family. At UAMA, both children and adults learn to have self-discipline and integrity that helps create a strong foundation that carries over in all aspects of life.
“Since we moved to Southern California, it has been very rewarding to see these positive influences in our children as they mature, continue to be active, and do well in school. Our son, who has continued in martial arts, is on his way to becoming an eagle scout, and our daughter was selected to be a counselor at a camp for underprivileged children on behalf of united in harmony. We look forward to connecting with UAMA veterans and friends at the celebration.”
UAMA is expecting a large turnout Sunday. With more than 350 black belts to date, there is a large portion of the Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy communities that have participated in the UAMA experience.
New people are welcome to come see what it is all about. The free celebration will include face-painting, crafts, a Red Carpet Photo Booth, music and refreshments. Door prizes, valued at more than $1,500, are a testament to UAMA’s presence in the community, as many businesses have joined the celebration by donating gifts that each attendee will be entered to win. Some of the contributors to this celebration include The Three Redheads Salon, Ladera Grill, Mind Body Motion, Safari Salon, Rosy’s at the Beach, Bubbles Wine Bar, Betsy’s Restaurant, Huntington Station, Casa Blue, Jesus Mexican Restaurant, Make it Mine, Cherise’s Hair Salon, Book Smart, Savvy Seconds, Odeum, Peking, A-Jay’s Cheese Steaks, Mr. Falafel and more. Prizes range from a Samsung 32-inch LCD HDTV and Blu-ray Player to $100 Gift Certificates and Movie Tickets.
Current UAMA students Tracey and Anthony Ciccone started at UAMA in 2005 with the objective to gain a more balanced lifestyle inclusive of fitness and the Martial Arts. A few months after they began, their children were interested in joining the fun. Now, seven years later, they are a family of black belts.
“UAMA provides an impressive program balancing tae kwon do, kang duk won, physical fitness and positive life lessons,” Anthony said. “The studio turned into a terrific family activity and positive influence on all of our lives. It has been terrific watching the kids grow into young adults there.”
To speak with their students it is clear that the UAMA has provided a space in the community for students and all sizes of families to come together and grow mentally and physically. The secret is education.
Michael Clampitt graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a secondary-teaching credential from the University of California–Berkeley, earned a master’s degree in education from the University of San Francisco and is a multiple recipient of San Jose State’s highest educational field honor, the Dorothy Wright Award for Teaching. When he designs the martial arts class curriculum for ages 7 through 65 and older, he does it with a teacher’s enthusiasm. In addition, he holds a sixth-degree
black belt in tae kwon do from the AAU, a fifth-dan black belt from the Simonini School of Tae Kwon Do, issued by Chuck Simonini, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Bob Chaney, and Byong Yu, as well as black belts in kwan bup and kang duk won, certified by Leso and Babich Sensei.
Catering to the younger martial artists, Michael’s wife, Nancy, a former preschool teacher, saw the benefits of martial arts for 4- to 6-year-olds.
“At the studio, originally the cut off age was 7 years old, but I realized that through martial arts, preschoolers can learn motor skills and coordination. They can also develop teamwork, self-discipline and respect for others,” she said. “Using my years of working with preschoolers, I built the Super Junior program, an age-appropriate martial arts class designed to work with their developing motor skills and attention span. Today it is still one of my favorite classes to teach because no one keeps you on your toes like a group of 4- to 6-year-olds.”
Details: For more information on Sunday’s celebration, send emails to
em***@ua**.com
.
