I finally have someone who made it all the way to black belt after doing this for almost 30 yrs.  Steve really deserves his Shodan.  He has been putting up with me for 7&1/2 yrs.  Probably 70 or 80 people have come and dropped out in that time.  I don?t care.  I want quality not quantity.  I don?t do this for a living so I don?t need to water it down.  I teach in a military style, the way I was taught.  I don?t do this for the money.  I do it because I love it.  Steve is only 16 yrs. old but he is mature beyond his years.  He can hold his own against the men.  He has competed against black belts in the last 3 tournaments.  Steve won a bronze medal in the AAU State Championships, advanced div.  He is consistent and never misses class.  I am proud to have him as my first black belt.

Thanks,
Sensei Tom

Here are some pictures of Steve's promotion:
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z312/TomOB1_photo/StevePlaque5-07a.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z312/TomOB1_photo/SteveMe5-07a.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z312/TomOB1_photo/TheMotleyCrew5-07a.jpg
Thanks,
Tom