Teachers are only as good as their students. Schools are only as successful as their teachers and students combined. This May, we promoted three people. Sensei Lee Firestone received his 3rd degree lineage belt, Sensei Donn Hearn received his 3rd degree lineage belt, and Becky Deuel-Gallegos received her Brown belt.

For Kaito Gakko Fullerton, the lineage belt promotions were a milestone event. Senseis Lee and Donn are the first to have received a lineage belt from Professor Carlos Gallegos. Kaito Gakko Fullerton couldn't be more proud of these two gentlemen, and we could not be more indebted to them. It is their persistent dedication to our school that has helped make it so successful. It is with ease and great satisfaction that I say to you, Lee and Donn, thank you for being a part of our school. Without your contributions, our school would not be as successful today as it is.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend Donn's promotion. Professor Carlos awarded Donn his lineage belt at Don's Akita Martial Arts Dojo at the Anaheim Braille Institute. The award was well received, and Donn's students were very supportive of their Sensei. In Carlos's words, "The students would not stop clapping for Donn, they were so proud of him. It was a powerful moment for Donn." Congratulations Don--Carlos and I are as pleased to have been able to award you with this belt as you are, I am sure, to have received it.

I was present when Carlos awarded Lee his linage belt at the Fullerton Kaito Gakko Dojo. We had a full class that night, and I could tell that even the new students felt the gravity of the occasion. It was with great satisfaction that I witnessed Lee receive his lineage belt. His tireless dedication to helping students better perfect their abilities in the class is a tribute to his good nature and his refined abilities as a martial artist. Congratulations Lee, there was much more I wanted to say that night about how grateful I am that you are a part of this school, but I was afraid that any words I could come up with wouldn't adequately convey my appreciation. And, I'm sure I would have gotten choked up.

Becky has been a dedicated Kaito Gakko student for more than four years. For much of this time, she attended class four nights a week. She has competed well in several competitions throughout her martial arts career. Students like Becky are to be treasured. Her promotion to brown belt reflects our dedication to her and was well deserved due to her dedication to the school. Congratulations Becky, you have risen to the small group of advanced ranks in the Fullerton Kaito Gakko Dojo.