Meet The November 2024 Graduates!
The November 2024 Black Belt Graduation is MBS' first ever Black Belt Graduation! Our graduates went through a 14 week 
training period to be able to test for their new ranks. At the end of the 14 weeks they had their final exam which was over 3 hours of all of their material including; katas, self-defense, sparring, pad skills, kicking, and fitness. We have 3 graduates, Jesse earning his first degree black belt, and Jameson and Steven earning their 2nd degree black belt. See their bios below to learn more about them and 
their journeys to where they are now.

My name is Jesse Soulier. I am 15 and I am in the 10th grade. I live with my mom and dad and I have a sister who is a senior in college. I have 2 dogs, 2 bearded dragons, a tortoise and a gecko. I started karate when I was in 5th grade. Other than karate, I like to go to the gym to workout, play basketball, hang out with my friends, go snowmobiling, ride bikes with friends and go to church.  Some of my favorite parts about training are that it helps me stay physically fit and disciplined. Some of my accomplishments are getting through a cycle while also working a full 40 hour week during the summer and still being disciplined enough to go to the gym 5 days a week before my Karate class. Another one of my accomplishments is I have consistently gone to the gym for over 6 months. In addition to my other accomplishments I continue to make God a priority in my life even when I am busy. 

My name is Jameson Keefe, and I am 13 years old. I live in Cicero, NY, and I am in seventh grade.  I live with my mom Deidre, my dad Kevin, and my sister Sutton.  We also live with our two dogs, Sophie and Betty.  Sophie just turned 15 in October and Betty is still a puppy and turned 3 in September. I like snowboarding, hiking and being

outside. Other things I enjoy are video games and making YouTube videos. My favorite game is Manhunt, and I like spending time with my friends. I started karate when I was in kindergarten.  When I first began karate, I was at the YMCA and they offered it through Coakers Karate.  After a few months there I went on to train at 5 Star Martial

Arts.  I stayed with 5 Star all the way through my first-degree black belt and beyond.  I got my black belt when I was in 4th grade. I decided to continue my training with Mr. Calabria when he opened his studio. He was a big part of my first degree black belt journey, and I really wanted to continue my training with him. Something karate has

helped me with is other sports, like soccer, because karate has kept me athletic and in shape and the conditioning has helped me with endurance and strength.

Steven Pham is 12 years old, in 7th grade and goes to Gillette Road Middle School. Steven has an older sister and two great parents.  Currently he is a first degree black belt who has been going to karate for almost eight years! During karate he stays after to help teach and do demos. During his free time, he likes to play chess, video games, help cook, soccer, do puzzles and read Percy Jackson. He likes the color blue. His favorite holiday is Lunar New Year. His favorite animals are snakes. His favorite place to visit is Vietnam. His favorite subjects in school are math, science, FACS, and PE. When Steven grows older, he wishes to become a medical scientist and help save lives. Steven currently stays after school to do Math League and Math Con. Steven can speak English and Vietnamese and he is currently trying to learn Spanish.