Lake House Martial Art School of Self-Defense & Personal Safety

09/30/2023

12/28/2021

In 1993 the Lake House Martial Art School left an international karate association after 10 years, and was established as independent Tang Soo Do Dojang. Since then 66 students, of 586 enrolled, earned Black Belts.

Of those Black Belts recognized for their Skills and Knowledge, only those listed here deserve “Special Notice & Recognition” for their Loyalty, Courtesy and Character. This will be our last post in 2021 and left as a tribute to those Most Trusted, Respected and Admired, for their Honorable Behavior, Unselfish Contributions, Persistent Dedication and Unwavering Discipline.

*Joan Becker, 6TH Dan Master Instr. [1990] >Active
*Sharon LeCory, 5TH Dan Master Instr. 1993/01 >Active
*Joseph Souza, 5TH Dan Master Instr. 2001/27 >Active
*Stephen Coss, 5TH Dan Master Instr. 2009/48 >Active
*Carol Jennings 1ST Dan >Assistant Instr. 2017/57 >Active
*Jessica Sjolander, 1ST Dan Certified Instr. 2019/60 >Active
*Noah Felts, 2ND Dan Certified Instr. 2019/61 >Active
*Emily Coss, 2ND Dan Certified Instr. 2019/62 >Active
*Joyce Owens, 1ST Dan Certified Instr. 2021/65 >Active
*Jenny Zoccoli, 1ST Dan Certified Instr. 2021/66 >Active

Joseph Stanaback, 4TH Dan Master Instr. [1988] +Deceased
Joseph Cimador, 5TH Dan Master Instr. 1995/02 >Inactive
Lin Joseph Bly, 5TH Dan Master Instr. 1996/05 >Retired
Bob Benedini, 4TH Dan Master Instr. 1996/06 +Deceased
Bob Larkin, 1ST Dan 1996/07 >Retired
Pete Lothrop, 4TH Dan Master Instr. 1997/10 >Retired
Brent Kirves, 2ND Dan Certified Instr. 1998/12 >Retired
Gary Brownsberg, 4TH Dan Master Instr. 1998/13 >Retired
Danny Lindville, 1ST Dan 1998/14 >Retired
Bill Kelly, 1ST Dan 1998/17 +Deceased
Michael Daniels, 1ST Dan 1999/18 >Moved
Mike Price, 3RD Dan 1999/20 >Resigned
Gary Gosselin, 3RD Dan 1999/21 >Moved/Active
Neil Postethwait, 4TH Master Instr. 2003/28 >Retired
Sandra Matusky, 1St Dan 2004/33 >Moved
Samina Nerstheimer, 1ST Dan 2004/34 >Moved
Ashley Souza, 4TH Master Instr. 2004/35 >Moved
Andrew Troxell, 1ST Dan 2004/36 >Moved
Jason Souza, 2ND Dan 2006/39 >Inactive
Michael Woods, 1ST Dan 2007/42 >Moved
David Roth, 1ST Dan 2008/46 >Retired
Jan Paul Petersen, 3RD Dan 2011/51 >Moved
Justin Snyder, 2ND Dan 2012/52] >Resigned/Moved
Tyler Porter, 2ND Dan 2017/56 >Inactive
Jose Amateco, 1ST Dan 2017/59 >Inactive

12/21/2021

Our last Group Photo for 2021. We celebrated this occasion with only just a few students not present. Nothing could ever make us more proud, or grateful, to know and have had the opportunity to meet, make friendships, and practice Tang Soo Do together. That would include the youngest of our members to the oldest, and those no longer with us. Our "Wish for the New Year" is that each and every one of us stays "Healthy, Happy & Hopeful" with enough "Bravery, Courage & Boldness" to confront and defeat all odds and opposition without fear in the "Way of Karate."

12/17/2021

We recently awarded an Instructors Certificate to our youngest Black Belt, Emily Coss, seen here receiving the document that recognizes her experience, talents, skills, martial art behavior and abilities, when conducting a supervised class. She was previously promoted to 2ND Degree in Tang Soo Do, is active in other sports and a high achieving academic student in 9TH Grade. Emily is the daughter of Senior Master Stephen and Karen Coss.

12/17/2021

Seen here is Jessica Sjolander receiving her Instructor Certificate in Tang Soo Do. She began her practice of karate as a child in our old school location on the water front of Lake Jovita. In later years she returned to join us at our present location in San Antonio on the 2ND floor of the Historic Herrmann Building. Teaching comes naturally to Jessica being an experienced High School teacher. We were always amazed at how much she remembered from her early years in training .

12/17/2021

We reversed our decision, for the time being to refrain from posting new pictures and school news. It is respectfull to share these important recent recognitions of our Black Belts, who had not yet received their Instructor Certificates. Here Joyce Owens is presented with her certificate. She has been with us for the past three years, and had previously earned a 2ND Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. We have always been pround and honored to have her counted among our senior staff.

12/09/2021

In our "cirlcle meetings" after a class, we encourage every member, students and staff, to speak up and share what they have leaned. As we have only enrolled children, old enough to grasp abstract concepts, we frequently have them makiging insightful contributions to our conversations about what makes a true martial art and how they can apply the principles and practices they have learned.

12/09/2021

Students and staff assemble after a recent class for a "circle meeting" to share and discuss the values of the 7 Tenets & 5 Codes of Tang Soo Do insofar as they related to making the effort to solve conflicts without resrting to physical violence.

12/09/2021

Representatives of our Master Staff and Black Belt Assistant Instructors, are seen here in various classes improving physical conditioning and basic self-defense techniques.

12/09/2021

In these pictures, two of our adult Black Belts, Jenny and Joyce, are seen teaching different classes, and for the first time both in fully trimmed Tang Soo Do jackets. They frequently co-teach and share instructional responsibiliites when asked to conduct self-denfense lessons.

12/09/2021

Due to he current "supply chain" problems we were unable to get a trimed uniform for Jenny following her successful Black Belt test months ago. Now, she is seen here with Joyce after having the characteristic Tang Soo Do trim sewn on by a seamstress.

Both of these outstanding and remarkable Black Belts have made our senior staff extremely proud, and deeply honored, to have then counted among us.

12/07/2021

Emily and Noah, seen here on the left, were observing a class. They are good friends and enjoy practicing Tang Soo Do with each other as can be seen by the relaxed ways they interact. Both are exceptional young Black Belts and each unselfishly contributes to the classes we conduct by helping with the instruction and giving excellent demonstrations of what we expect.