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Successful Promotion to Brown Tips

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Three karate students pose for a photo. Two male black belts surround a female green belt holding her certificate for brown tips

Congratulations to Jen Christie on her well-deserved promotion to 4th Kyu (Brown tips) at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. She has been working hard, and it shows! Keep coming through the door to the Dojo Jen!

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Successful Promotion to Brown Belt

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Huge congratulations to Seven Soucy on his much-deserved promotion to Nikkyu (brown belt) on June 30, 2026 at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. His hard work and understanding of the material is clear! We look forward to seeing Seven and his positive energy every time he comes through the door!

6 Karate students in uniform with the brown belt in the middle
Seven Soucy was promoted to Brown Belt on June 30, 2026. From left to right: David Troup sensei, 5th dan; Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, 2nd dan; Seven Soucy; John Thibodeau, 3rd dan; Steven Mumford, 3rd dan; Patrick Dole, 1st dan.
Four karate students in traditional uniforms and black belts pose for the camera. One of them has just received a certificate.

Successful Promotion to Nidan

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Four karate students in traditional uniforms and black belts pose for the camera. One of them has just received a certificate.
From left to right: David Troup sensei, 5th dan; Joe Russillo, 3rd dan; Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, 2nd dan; John Thibodeau, 3rd dan

Congratulations to Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett on her successful promotion to Nidan (2nd degree black belt). She showed great understanding of her Kata, Kumite, Kata bunkai, and overall knowledge of Matsubayashi-ryu history! We are so grateful to have her as a key member of our Dojo!

Well done, and keep coming through the door to the Dojo!

John Thibodeau, Sandan (left) attacks Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
John Thibodeau, Sandan (right) attacks Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
Two karate students practice sparring in a blurry action shot
John Thibodeau, Sandan (left) attacks Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
John Thibodeau, Sandan (left) attacks Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
Two karate students practice Yakusoku kumite
John Thibodeau, Sandan (left) defends against Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
John Thibodeau, Sandan (right) attacks Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Nidan during Heinzen-Hackett’s Nidan promotion test.
Students practice Fukyugata Ni during the May 5, 2026 class at the dojo
Students practice Fukyugata Ni during the May 5, 2026 class at the dojo
3 karate students face the camera. Two with black belts, the 3rd has receievd a certificate and green tips

Successful Promotion to Green Tips

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3 karate students face the camera. Two with black belts, the 3rd has receievd a certificate and green tips
From left to right: David Troup sensei, 5th dan; Carolyn Corbin, hachikyu; John Thobodea, 3rd dan.

Huge congratulations to Carolyn Corbin on her deserved promotion to Hachikyū (green Tips)on April 23 at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. Her consistency and hard work show! More proof that consistently coming through the doors to the dojo yields rewards.

Black and white image of a karateka standing and yielding two blurry sais. His top is black and his pants are white

New Kobudo Class Added

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Beginning on Saturday, May 2, we will offer a weekly Matayoshi-style kobudo class led by David Troup sensei, through the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai (OKDR), under the direction of President Neil Stolsmark, Hanshi, 9th dan. Troup sensei is a Shodan in the OKDR, and is currently studying with Michael Norvell sensei, Rokudan in the OKDR.

The class will take place at the Penobscot Bay YMCA’s Lily Pond facility, which is the white building to your right as you come down the driveway to the YMCA. Registration is required through the YMCA’s website or by visiting the YMCA’s front desk.

Students will explore classical Okinawan martial arts weapons training, including bo, sai, tonfa, and nunchaku, with an emphasis on basics, kata, and practical application. Suitable for beginners and experienced martial artists alike, the class offers a disciplined, respectful environment to deepen both skill and understanding of this traditional art.

A right hand is visible holding a traditional kobudo sai
Five karate students pose for the camera, with four Black Belts surrounding a recently promoted black tip student.

Successful Promotion to Black Tips

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Five karate students pose for the camera, with four black belts surrounding a recently promoted black tip student.

From left to right: Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett, Shodan; David Troup, Godan; Corey Fougner, Ikkyu; John Thibodeau, Sandan; Haydee Temple, Shodan.

Congratulations to Corey Fougner on her hard work leading to her successful promotion to 一級 (ikkyu or black tips). She has put in the time and the training, and it shows! Keep coming through that dojo door!

Successful Promotions to Brown Belt

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Chris Felicetti (left) and Chris Mariner receive their brown belts and certificates

Congratulations to Chris Mariner, Chris Felicetti, and Pearson Snyder on their hard work leading to their successful testing for 二級 (nikyu or Brown Belt). They have all three put in the time and the training, and it shows! Keep coming through that dojo door!

Official Certificates for Two New Shodans

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Congratulations to Patrick Dole and Haydee Temple, who received their Shodan certificates from Okinawa after successfully testing in December at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. They are both proving that hard work is acknowledged!

Successful Testing for Two Students

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12 Karate students pose with the one on the left holding a laptop picture a 13th student, and two students in the center holding new certificates

Congratulations to Jen Christie on her hard work leading to her successful testing for ろっきゅう (rokkyuu or 6th kyu), Green belt. And congrats to Seven Soucy on his hard work leading to his successful testing for よんきゅう (yonkyu or 4th kyu), Brown Tips. They have both put in the time and the training, and it shows! Keep coming through that dojo door!