Since Black Belt candidates are required to write an essay about what karate means to them, I thought I would let you know from a parent's point-of-view what karate has meant to their child.

The most obvious benefit of studying the martial arts is physical fitness. Since joining Premier, Shannon has lost almost 25 pounds and her reflexes and flexibility have greatly improved. Her endurance has gone from rarely being able to finish a 2 minute sparring match to lasting the entire 45 minutes of Miss Lisa's kickboxing class. Shannon loves to show off her physical skills at tournaments where she has won many trophies and titles, including; IKC's Outstanding Competitor for 2008, ASKL's 2008 Championship in Musical Weapons, and her first national title. Shannon is the 2008 NASKA National Advanced Belt Champion in Sparring for 14-15 year old girls.

Unlike some sports, physical fitness isn't the only benefit of training in the martial arts. Shannon was always a good student; making the honor roll every year and being named good citizen several times. Now she is a straight A student in the International Baccalaureate program, one of the most rigorous college prep programs in the world. This past school year, Shannon was the top sophomore in her high school. She has been granted membership to the National Jr. Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars; an organization headed by the Nobel family, creators of the Nobel Prizes.

Shannon has truly blossomed under the care she receives at Premier. This school is like "Miracle Grow" for humans. Plant your children here and watch them grow into stronger, faster, sharper, more focused and motivated people right before your eyes.

All we, as parents, really want is for our children to be happy. KARATE MAKES SHANNON HAPPY!

Thank you Mr. Churchwell, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Hatcher, Ms. Jess, Ms. Jeni and Mrs. Churchwell for all you do!

James & Marla Smith

Dear Premier Martial Arts,

I just want to say THANK YOU. I have been very impressed with the way your establishment is run. Both of my girls absolutely love it there. They come home every day excited to tell me all about their day. It is a true blessing to feel so confident and comfortable that they are being very well taken care of. When you really think about it, you guys have them for more awake hours than I do in a day. I also love how there are activities all throughtout the day. My girls are getting excercise as well as training. I can not express enough how impressed I have been. Thank you so much for all you do. You make a difference in so many lives. Parents can go to work and concentrate on work and not have to worry about their children or their well being.

Thank you,
Brandy Roberts
Summer Camp Parent

A great report from a great parent!

My favorite part of being a parent of a PMA student is the consistent messages of leadership, responsibility, courtesy, and respect. I also value that my children are learning strong self defense skills and healthy lifestyle habits. These are life skills that build a stronger person - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I have seen a positive change in both of my boys since starting martial arts. For Brandon the positive changes are: increased self esteem and confidence, increased physical abilities, a positive attitude, confidence to stand up for what is right, and passion for living healthy. I saw improvement in his attitude as he learned that being a compassionate young man is not a weakness. He is headstrong and focused on the black belt principles you have taught him over the past years. I see happiness and excitement when he is working out. He didn't feel good about himself when he struggled with other sports. When he found PMA, he discovered that he had more physical talent that he thought, and the PMA school values were the same as what was already in his heart. And for Nate: increased self control, the ability to stay calm in a physical situation, ability to take control of a physical situation, increased ability to focus on the task at hand, ability to complete a task successfully, confidence/self esteem, increased physical abilities, and a passion for healthy living. He also learned be more respectful to others and to better control him temper. Nate has a short temper and he is very athletic and aggressive. He actually impresses me with his self control now. He's also A-D-D, but he holds himself accountable for not staying focused. PMA has helped him learn the importance of being in control of his actions.

I would tell anyone looking in to the martial arts that they will never find another martial arts school that will offer your family the total package: superior martial arts training, a sincere interest in the students well being - inside and outside of martial arts, a fun and energetic atmosphere, positive principles, and a Christian foundation.

Stacy Wilson
Director, Business Systems
TSYS IT Business Management

We wanted to let you know...

Colby is learning so much new stuff and he wants to do better at home and school because of the things he is learning. He is asking me to make him a chore list every week so that he can show me self discipline. He is practicing every day. He has always made straight A's but now he seems to have more ambition to do it. He wants to make you proud. He likes making new friends and the instructors are so nice. He likes the new skills he is learning and showing us (mom and dad) that he is learning new stuff. We see that Colby is proud of himself for the things he is achieving. And he thinks the entire school is "cool"!

Amber and Chris Harden
PMA Parents

The POSITIVE energy that you & your instructors exhibit is outstanding!

My son needs a positive male role model in his life - his father is not involved at all with him, and while his "Grandy" is VERY caring & supportive, we felt like this would provide him with that role model and it has.

We have absolutely seen changes in his attention span and so are his manners. We love the BBE sheets, because it gives us a chance to help teach him those valuable life lessons that are also so important to us, and your team reinforces each lesson during class.

I tell anyone interested in martial arts to go visit the beautiful school & talk to Adam personally - we have been so pleased with our son's progress and it is well worth the money spent!!

Regards,
Cathy Christain

My favorite part of the program,

is that Brock really enjoys the class. He is always ready to go to karate. I think it has help with him knowing how to focus. Sometimes he gets to excited and rolls around more than he should. He likes to tell people that he takes karate. I believe it is a confidence builder. I have told several parents about the program. I feel like they will start coming. I think that 30 mins of class is perfect also. If it was longer I think that it would lose their attention.

We have been very satisfied with your staff.

Lacy Swords

The instructors are funny,

playful with the kids but also know when to assert their authority and the classes are fun to watch and I am sure they are just as fun to do. Sydney has never enjoyed a sport more than she enjoys this one. She recently told me that she wanted to take Karate "until they tell me that I can't come back". That makes a parent's day knowing that she is as excited about a program where she is learning a lot and having fun. I have seen many changes in Sydney.

The most significant changes have to be in her self-confidence and her energy level. Sydney is a very shy child but since taking classes she is more outgoing and loves to show people a demonstration.

I would tell someone interested in taking martial arts that the staff is excellent, that I have known Adam for many years and he runs his business exactly the way that I would expect him to. Not only do they learn Karate, kickboxing and self-defense but they also learn about respect, respect for themselves and others. I also know the Christian background that comes into play and knowing that people that have such high morals are teaching my child, I can only hope that she walks away mirroring the people that are part of her Karate experience.

Amanda Davis

I love the values that you are instilling in the kids and the way the staff treats us.

Customer service is such an important part of any business and your staff EXCEEDS expectations I had for this type of school. I have never seen a group of people so willing to take care of its students/parents. The values that you are preaching, you are practicing are RARE and so appreciated!

My son usually leans toward the mental side of things, so to incorporate your program with the physical aspects and teachings, it is outstanding to watch! Bo can be a challenge, and what you have done with him in a short amount of time is a huge blessing. I truly believe this experience will change his life in a hugely positive way!

Besides that it's worth every penny? Your staff's patience, level of professionalism, customer service, and experience are so rewarding--you have gathered a great group of people and are doing wonderful things!

The Parent’s Night Out things are super too, btw!

Kathryn McCamy Lewis | Trainer III
Corporate Training
Aflac Worldwide Headquarters

Watching my child and other children have FUN while learning,

not only how to take care of themselves physically, but lessons for living a good life as well. Getting to "hang" with the parents of my child's friends is also great fun! My child has always been good but I know she has become a better person because of PMA and we both have made great friends here.

You have taken a shy, anxiety-ridden, sad 13 year old and turned her into an outgoing, self-confident, HAPPY 15 year old. As I said before, she was always a good child (we have been truly blessed). But due to the genes she inherited, she struggled with self-doubt. Now, instead of endless crying and sleepless nights for both of us, she is better able to handle the pressures of teenage life.

I would shout from the rooftops what a miracle PMA has been for my daughter, but since she is a teenager and would be mortified that I'm sharing her personal problems with others, I would have to leave out a few details.

I'm proud to be a PMA family member.

We enjoy watching our child grow and learn in a positive, Christian environment.

Karate encompasses a lot more than just a sport; it is a way of life, a way of learning respect, morals and proper behavior. Our daughter has grown up at Karate from a shy little meek child, to a confident athlete. We have been extremely satisfied. Adam Churchwell burns on all four burners: Karate Pro, teacher/ mentor, friend, Christian family man example.

Singing our parises

After a long day of teaching art (remember art teachers "teach" ALL the kids at a school -- so that means planning for and responding to hundreds of different ages and personalities each week) ----- I am frequently exhausted. Picking up my two boys at their school can give me a surge of joy. And then, the oddest thing happens when we get to PMA class ------ I watch you and your instructors work with the kids and I get inspired and energized. I am reminded of why I became a teacher myself. I see the joy of accomplishment in the kids faces, and in their body expressions! It makes me laugh, relieves my stress -- so the classes "for my boys"--- I have discovered, are actually a good thing for me too. Watching the instructor's patience, creativity, and enthusiasm with the kids (not just my own) is really fun. I like that y'all learn the names of all the kids so quickly. (I wish I could do that with my students.) So thanks for your dedication!!!

------ Gay Carney