Lisa Roddenberry and Dylan Bozeman.
Above: Dylan Bozeman kicks his way to victory!
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Left: From left to right are Mary Kidd, Elizabeth Carlton, Lisa Roddenberry and Dylan Bozeman. Above: Dylan Bozeman kicks his way to victory! |
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Love is shown in many ways and giving isn't always about material things. The students of UPKUDO gave their time and energy to a needy cause, St. Judes Childrens' Research Hospital, kicking away cancer in Alpha UPKUDO's Kick-A-Thon in August of 1999. Seventeen students, ranging in age from 4-60 years old, raised nearly $2,000 in 20 minutes performing an amazing 29,982 kicks to help childrens' cancer research. One amazing 4 year old, white belt, named Dylan Bozeman, kicked 1,036 times on one leg to win a Gold Medal from St. Judes. Dylan singlehandedly raised over $500 for the event. His courage and determination to never give up have been a great inspiration to everyone since his accident this summer which resulted in him losing a portion of his right foot. Three other students won Silver Medals from St. Judes. Elizabeth Carlton, 1st Place Women 18-25 age group with 2,734 kicks who recently became North Florida Martial Arts Association's #1 Female Point Fighter and Kata Performer. Assistant Instructor in Alpha's Kickboxing and Karate, Lisa Roddenberry, placed 1st Place Women 26-35 age group with 2,558. Mary Kidd, proved love has no limits as she kicked her way to 1st Place Women 56-65 age group with 1,758 kicks. Overall Grand Champion Kicker was 19 year old Zach Goodman, Alpha's instructor at Lafayette Community Center with 2,999 kicks. Other winners in the kick a thon were Patrick Jones 2,651; Crystal Lanham with 2,027; Birdie Robinson with 1,907; Anthony Reeves with 1,855; Logan Gregg with 1,802; Tyler Clayton 1,534; Matt Sexton 1,526; Autumn Clark with 1,447; Austin Clark 1,380; Autumn Spell with 1,063 ; Jessy Clayton 970; and McKenzi Spell 735. After the kicking was completed, the crowd enjoyed watching several students point spar. Friends, family and sponsors such as WTNT, 107.1 Cool Radio, Play It Again Sports, Papa Johns Pizza and many others gave refreshments and door prizes to help make this event a great success. Grand Master Baker's philosophy, "Love always wins" is evident in the hearts of these fine Tallahasseans and Alpha UPKUDO Karate students. Of special mention is Dylan Bozeman, who did the most kicks in his division with great courage. You can read more about Dylan on Dylan's page. Below are the full results of the kick-a-thon: |
| Name | Category | Award | # Kicks |
| Sensei Zach Goodman | Men: 18 - 25 | Grand Champion Kicker | 2,999 kicks |
| Dylan Bozeman | 4 and Under | Gold Medal | 1,036 |
| Kelegion Kai Elizabeth Carlton | Women: 18 - 25 | Silver Medal | 2,734 |
| Kelegion Kai Lisa Roddenberry | Women: 26 - 35 | Silver Medal | 2,558 |
| Mary Kidd | Women: 56 - 65 | Silver Medal | 1,758 |
| Patrick Jones | Teens | First Place | 2,651 |
| Crystal Lanham | Women | Third Place | 2,027 |
| Birdie Robinson | Women Over 30 | First Place | 1,907 |
| Anthony Reeves | Men Over 30 | First Place | 1,855 |
| Logan Gregg | Teens | Second Place | 1,802 |
| Tyler Clayton | Boys 6-8 | First Place | 1,534 |
| Matt Sexton | Men | Second Place | 1,526 |
| Autumn Clark | Girls 10-14 | First Place | 1,447 |
| Austin Clark | Boys 6-8 | Second Place | 1,380 |
| Autumn Spell | Girls 6-8 | First Place | 1,063 |
| Jessy Clayton | Girls 4 and Under | First Place | 970 |
| McKenzi Spell | Girls 4 and Under | First Place | 735 |
| Grand Total of 17 People | 29,982! | ||