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Benji Rushing
Black Belt

Benji Rushing was a student of Sensei Debbie Tully. He was loved by everyone at Tully's UPKUDO and Alpha UPKUDO as a person with a loving spirit and positive attitude. Although Benji passed away in August of 2005, we honor him as a Black Belt in UPKUDO for his love and contributions to UPKUDO and the lives of his dojo family.
Read more about Benji Rushing at Tully's UPKUDO.

Sensei Bryon Dalton
1st Dan Black Belt

"I have a strong faith, and I do my best to follow the teachings set forth in the Bible. UPKUDO teaches through positive methods, not through criticism. 'We are a family and we treat each other like family.' I like to belong to a family, not to a factory. I like being Bryon, not a number. I feel like a member of a family, and am treated as such. I like to be challenged to grow, and achieve. Master Anne provides that atmosphere at Alpha UPKUDO. I believe that by watching, listening, and performing, you learn. By following Master Anne's example of being the eternal student, and staying, as Grand Master Baker says, 'Always Green,' I can become a better student and this a better teacher."

Sensei Allen Goodman
Black Belt

Sensei Allen Goodman has been training under Renshi Anne Radke for nine years. Sensei feels that UPKUDO has helped him feel better about himself. He loves competitive point fighting. Sensei Allen teaches noon karate classes at Alpha UPKUDO on Monday and Wednesday. For more information, call (850) 514-4334. The noon karate class is a basic class for beginners.

Pictured on the right are Sensei Allen's parents, Delbert and Patricia Goodman. Delbert and Patricia Goodman's support were crucial in the first Alpha UPKUDO dojo.

Over the past year, Sensei Allen managed to lose 200lbs. through diet and excercise. To contact with questions about his success, email him at: allen_69@hotmail.com.

Sensei Brent Roddenberry
Black Belt

"Being an UPKUDO Black Belt means staying 'Green,' helping others and continuing the tradition that has been set before me, through the training of both body and mind. An UPKUDO "Black Belt always sets good examples for others to follow in and out of the Dojo.

     "In UPKUDO, examples are first set by it's founder, Grand Master Baker, and then passed down to President of the UPKUDO International Karate Federation, Master Anne, which in turn passes it on as if she was the mirror image of Grand Master Baker. As Chief Instructor of Alpha UPKUDO, she does this day in and day out, giving us, the black belts, a true and clean diagram of how we are to conduct ourselves.
     "An UPKUDO Black Belt is the most professional practitioner of all the martial arts. From their kind and gentle heart to their fierce competitive spirit in the ring. Each and every technique is practiced and executed to perfection, always increasing upward with a never-quit attitude.
     "Receiving a black belt does not in any way put one in the same class with one's own instructor, it is only one's beginning into the development of the thousands of techniques that one has been show. 'You will never be remembered for what kind of house you live in and you will never be remembered for the type of car you drive or for the amount of money you make, but you will always be remembered for the time spent with someone and the influence that you made on their life.' Just as Grand Master Baker has said, he doesn't want to be remembered for the fights he won, but rather for his heart-Just his heart!"

Inducted into the 2006 Florida Cosmopolitan Hall of Fame for Dedication to Martial Arts

Matt Sexton
Black Belt

Matt is heavily involved in the administrative aspects of Alpha, assisting Master Anne in assuring the smooth operation of the school. Matt received Alpha UPKUDO's 2004 Assistant Instructor Award.
Matt often finds himself doing a variety of tasks at the dojo, from assisting with the afterschool program, to orienting new students, administering paperwork, and filling in when extra assistance is needed in other classes.

     In the past, he was employed as the keyboard player for the band Anything But Stressed, Your Molecular Structure, and The Funky Nuggets, and is now the keyboard player for The Pax Romana.
     Matt is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently pursuing his certification as a hypnotherapist.
     "Although the position of Black Belt is a teaching position, it involves much more than simply teaching. A Black Belt must set an example for the lower ranks not only in their dedication to teaching and training, but also in their dedication to their dojo brothers and sisters. Even when we are sick or injured and unable to train, simply being around to assist and support the dojo is still a fulfillment of the responsibility of the Black Belt.
     "Much of my work at Alpha, assisting in the smooth operation of the school, is behind the scenes. However, despite my work schedule and other pressing committments, I strive to be around to support my dojo brothers and sisters and to contribute to the betterment of their training too."

Trevor Screws
Black Belt

"Being a Black Belt in the UPKUDO system means I have made a life long commitment to hard work, dedication and to fitness. I will never switch to a different style because UPKUDO is what I have grown up on, it is what I love and it is what I have and will always have as my safe haven from the rest of the world. My dojo family is my family, they support me in times of need, not only with karate, but with other aspects of my life.
"UPKUDO has provided me with a way of fun exercise and a way to get physically and mentally fit. I have lost much weight in the four years I have been doing this. My teacher and my senseis have made a great impression on my life. Every time I attend one of Grand Master Baker's seminars I come out amazed. It really impresses me that one person can know so much, and yet still be willing to learn more."

Brianne Whatley Black Belt
	Renshi has taught to be discipline, respectful, loving, and she also shown me to be a better fighter and a better person. I want to be with Renshi forever, I hope that I could grow to be half the teacher she is. And I am glad that I came to Upkudo, and I am also glad that Grand Master is the founder of UPKUDO. I'm glad that Grand Master takes his time out of what he does to come to and put on a seminars. I love Grand Master cause he tells me to have courage and confidence in myself, and he also believes in me like Renshi does.

Sensei Gary Womble
1st Dan Black Belt

"I have embraced UPKUDO as a way of life. Training with Renshi Anne has taught me countless valuable lessons. A few of the foremost of these are to maintain a positive attitude, love and respect others, maintain a professional appearance, constantly continue to grow mentally and physically, keep in close contact with my instructor. I have grown to love karate and to firmly believe in the UPKUDO way.
"UPKUDO students are not competitive with one another. In fact they are supportive of each other's sucesses; hence, jealousy and grudges are nonexistent. The concept of being the best of all people has been replaced by the concept of a personal best.

     "Mentally, I am a more postive and circumspect person. Grandmaster Baker's philosophy of 'positive input is positive output,' has affected me greatly.
     "Constant growth and self-improvement is paramount to an UPKUDO warrior. Paying attention to details, being well organized in mind and appearance, taking extra time and effort, being serious about karate, and promotion of the UPKUDO way are all qualities of a an UPKUDO warrior. Mainly one must be a strict follower of the path laid by his or her instructor.
     "Respect for the teacher helps the students to focus on the teacher and what he or she is teaching. If the teacher respects the student, then he or she will devote the proper time and attention to the student. A student cannot know better than the teacher because he or she has never encountered what the teacher has experienced.
     "Love is a vital part of teaching and learning. A teacher's love is encouragement to a student. A student's love is likewise encouragement to a teacher."
     Gary is an assistant instructor at Alpha UPKUDO and the instructor for Lafayette UPKUDO.

Elizabeth "Buffy" Carlton Richmond
Black Belt

     A Business Management Student at FSU, Elizabeth Carlton works at a local law firm in Tallahassee. She loves animals and owns a dog, "Jamal". She is originally from Orlando and hopes to compete there this summer in the US OPEN. Her hobbies include: KARATE, KARATE, and more KARATE. She was recently named the Grand Champion of the North Florida Martial Arts Association Circuit. She loves to teach anyone about Martial Arts. Her favorite part about Karate is the family atmosphere, the discipline, and always striving to be the best you can be. The hardest part of karate is the grueling workouts she has in Kickboxing and Karate. Karate as given Buffy more self confidence and self respect and, certainly not least, a roomful of trophies that have filled the dojo.
     "I have learned that each person of UPKUDO is a unique individual. I started focusing on the positives in life and discarded the negatives, and for the first time in my life I was confident to just be me. UPKUDO not only means a great system of karate, but it also means family, love, and friendships. Every member of our dojo is successful because of the love and positive input of our instructor and each other that is extended into our training. To be a black belt in UPKUDO you have to not only be a great leader, but also a person with a lot of love, a big heart, and a constant positive output. Renshi has taught me that each student learns in a different way, and I will try to teach each student in the best way possible that makes them grow to their full potential. I will continue to use my love of competition to help students overcome their fear of competition. I will stress the importance of keeping the dojo full of love and respect, and that we are all a team that wins together in everything we do. I continue to stay in UPKUDO because I enjoy teaching and watching everyone else grow into great karate kais. I am very lucky to have a caring and encouraging karate instructor. Many people are shocked to hear that I have a female karate instructor, but I couldn't imagine any other teacher to have. I know that renshi is alwats there as my instructor and also my close friend. I only hope taht I will become as great a teacher to my students as she is to me."
     With every belt, award or trophy I received, I share it with Renshi and all my dojo brothers and sisters. Being a black belt doesn't just belong to me, but a little bit of that black belt belongs to everyone in my UPKUDO family."

Shannon Hines
Black Belt

"When I saw all of the women in the class and I started sparring with them, I told myself I was not going to hurt them. But, I soon found out that it was them that were not going to hurt me. The women in this dojo are the toughest women I have ever met.

     I can remember starting karate. I did not think I was going to like it as much as I do. I wasn't sure that it was going to be as a family, which I soon learned was otherwise. But now I have learned so much, and I am wanting to learn much, much more everything I can. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world, about fighting, confidence and commitment, and I have made a lot of new friends.
     I used to get frustrated with myself because I could not do something as well as everyone else, but I have learned that if I work at my own pace, then it will come.
I did not start karate to be a Kelegion Kai; I just wanted to learn self defense. I am always thinking of ways to better represent UPKUDO. I have made it my dream to become a black belt, and maybe open my own UPKUDO dojo one day, a dojo that we can all be proud to call an UPKUDO school.
     Being a part of Alpha UPKUDO has changed my life and given me new goals and dreams in life, and I will work at them until I reach them all."

Sensei Dillon poses with Master Anne, Sensei Anthony, & the World Cup.

Sensei Dillon Hardy
Black Belt

"A black belt is someone who has shown to his or her sensei that they are a devoted karate kai. They have good personal qualities such as leadershop, wisdom, respect, honor, discipline and many other things. But most of all, a black belt is a teacher, a role model for upcoming martial artists, and a person who influences all their students and everyone they teach. As a black belt, I would only bring honor and respect to the UPKUDO name. A black belt is someone who is dedicated, loyal, trustowrthy, and does not abuse his knowledge of the martial arts."

Shyam Lakshmin
Black Belt

What it means to be a black belt in UPKUDO and what do I have to offer to help build the Federation
By Shyam Lakshmin

     "To say that I had no idea what I was getting into when I joined Alpha UPKUDO would be an understatement. I had anticipated finding a healthy and active way to spend an hour of my time on Tuesday and Thursday nights. At first that�s all it was to me, but over the past six years it has become much more than that. I began to realize that my training could be applied to other aspects of my life. In addition, over time I have grown to embrace UPKUDO as a way of life.
     "For most of my life prior to becoming an UPKUDO karate-kai, I was not someone with follow through. I would not see things through to the end, and so, I left a number of important life tasks unfinished. Through my training with Renshi Anne Radke, I learned what it means to never give up and why it is so important. In particular, during my red belt testing, she pushed me past my physical and mental limits until all I had left was my spirit. I have drawn on such lessons over the past few years to accomplish things that I never thought I would, such as completing my graduate studies at the University of California at Berkeley and completing a marathon.
     "I began to value that experience and training more and more, and I realized that I wanted to give back. Hence, I started Spirit UPKUDO, the name coming from my red belt testing experience. I have learned much from the UPKUDO system and my UPKUDO family. I greatly appreciate this gift, and I am determined to give back and pass on what I have learned. To that end, I believe that I can be very effective when it comes to teaching. I have spent time tutoring or teaching since 1996, while I was still in high school. In addition, in graduate school in 2004, I received my department�s Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award. It�s a profession I hold in high regard, and I think it is important as a future black belt to develop those skills as much as possible.
     "My training was also invaluable in the more critical times of my life. Not too long ago, I was at my good friend�s side as she battled with thoughts of suicide. At times, I was at a loss for words and too stunned to be able to come up with a course of action. The only things I could say to myself were �positive input is positive output� and Renshi�s voice saying, �I�ve got nothing but love.� I believe this focus helped to guide my actions during this time and helped to guide her out of her struggle. I am happy to say that today she is living a happy, healthy, and productive life.
     "As I grew into UPKUDO as a way of life, it became apparent to me that no other system of martial arts would suit me. I have visited a few dojos in California, and while they all have something unique to offer, I didn�t feel the love and the focus on the complete person that I feel from my UPKUDO family. That is why I�ve made it a point to come back to visit my dojo and train whenever I can. I will continue to do so, regardless of where I end up living.
     "I long to hand down all of the lessons I have learned and strength that I have gained in the system. They have had such a profound effect on me, but I know that it could affect others in the same way. It would bring me such joy to see other people grow, even if only one hour at a time. I would consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to add to the strength of the UPKUDO federation."

Maria Harbin
Black Belt

"UPKUDO is a style of karate, which involves spirit, mind, and body. I have learned so much about myself. Through point fighting I am learning to face and overcome my fears, and to understand the importance of knowledge and mental strength.

"UPKUDO has also taught me about love and respect. I have come to understand that is alot of what UPKUDO is about. It is a family and the love and respect it shares are only a reflection of their belief in the power of a positive mind and attitude, and the knowledge that love always wins.

"I did not realize how different UPKUDO is from other styles of karate until I began attending tournaments. I saw people who would seemingly do anything to win, people who placed a higher value on a first place trophy, than on the experience and knowledge gained just from stepping in the ring.

Teresa campos
Black Belt

"My karate school is not only a dojo, it is a second home. Upkudo is not only about sparring and katas, but it is also about the family atmosphere.Also positive input is positive output.In Upkudo we dont have negative.I feel very lucky to be able to train with my dojo brother and sisters.There is nothing i love better to do then Karate.My life is about karate.Most of my dreams are about me teaching others what my great teacher has taught me.I want to become a great instructor like my instructor Renshi Anne Radke.She has taught me so much, but the main thing that women can do mens job.Grand Master Gary Lee Baker has all the knowledge in the world.I use to hate to listen to people,but when it comes to Grand Master,i can listen to him forever.Thanks to Renshi and Grand Master everyone in UPKUDO are champions."

Tyler Clayton
Black Belt

Tyler began UPKUDO in 1999 and is the leader in competition victories of all the children at Alpha UPKUDO. He is a top fighter and kata competitor. He is currently learning the sais to add to his weapons training.