Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Spring 2013 Update

Closing Our Doors

Duluth Tang Soo Do Academy is now closed. Mr. Tapa retired after winter session and Mr. Zehm cannot take over for him at this time. Here are a few words in closing:

To the membership of Duluth Tang Soo Do past and present: It is with great sadness that we close the doors for the final time. The club disbanded at the end of winter session 2013. We are no longer practicing through Duluth Continuing Education or at NSTKD. To all who have taken part in the club over the years I wish to extend a thank you and our best wishes.

I also wish to extend a big thank you to Mr. Tapa, whose dedication to tradition and the art has extended for over nineteen years with the Duluth Tang Soo Do Academy. Thank you for your dedication of time and effort, leading us for these last several years. You carried the torch in the long line of marshal artists who have led Duluth Tang Soo Do Academy, honoring the traditions as set forth by Grand Master Jay C. Shin.

So thank you, Mr. Troy Tapa. We extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes. We appreciate your leadership, and we appreciate you as the individual you have shown yourself to be over the years.

Tang Soo!
Arthur Zehm, Cho Dan

Mr. Tapa and Mr. Zehm are instructors who are highly knowledgeable. They will be missed by their friends and students. Truly a sad day for martial arts and Tang Soo Do. ~ Kirk Davis

I'd like to thank both Mr. Tapa and Mr. Zehm for allowing me to train with them and all of you. And for helping to start me on my way when I first got my blackbelt and being away at college. The training has been very helpful, and I hope to see them again at some point. ~ Juris Zelenko

Stephanie and I would like Mr. Tapa to know that we appreciated his instruction very much! Thank you. ~ Lynn Wilcox

I'd like to thank Mr. Tapa and Mr. Zehm for many years of tireless effort, dedicated teaching, and for believing in excellence. I appreciate having been a member of this club and am glad to have had the opportunity to be a student instead of a teacher. I wish the best to you both. ~ Sara Duke

Troy, Thank you for your years of dedicated teaching-- for believing in your students, for expecting the best from us. Your energy and insights helped us all grow. You are a gifted teacher and mentor. Rebecca, Steve and Kelsey 

Troy - I was always in awe of your commitment, your energy level and your patience!!! You are an exceptional instructor - you have such a knack for not only seeing when someone needs to change something, but being able to communicate to them how to do so. As a PT, I can appreciate how difficult that is, and how valuable it is to have that great skill. Not to mention that you are a very talented athlete and Tang Soo Do martial artist!! Thank you so very much for all your sacrifice for the students and other instructors in our class. I'm so very glad to be able to call you a friend. Keep in touch, and thank you again for everything!!! Jenn

Dr. Zehm - Thank you for all your hard work and time spent with the Tang Soo Do classes, especially in the last several years when I couldn't be there. I will forever be grateful for your training partnership, skill, and patience. Trying to help me break three boards in preparation for a black belt exam is no small psychological feat!!! I'm so proud of all you accomplished, and can't imagine how you found all the time you put into your training! I made many friends that I could truly count on in class, and am very grateful that you are one of them. Thanks for all the great workouts, for the great talks, and for being such a great person. I'm glad that I will see you at the very least, every 6 months... Jenn