THE CERVIZZI’S MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY recently administered a Black Belt Exam. Front row, from left, Ayla Davis and Soke Paul Cervizzi. Middle row, from left, Shihan Alan Klapman, Shihan Emily Donnellan, Lucy Hansen, Vera Davis, Shihan Diana Dustin and Chris Ladd. Back row, from left, Sensei Nathaniel Jorgenson and Sensei Barbara Sweeney.
LYNNFIELD — Over 30 students between the ages 10-71 from Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy, located in Lynnfield, North Reading, North Andover and Andover, recently came together at their North Reading Headquarters and underwent a rigorous six-hour Black Belt Exam.
The exam included demonstration of strength, knowledge and proficiency in forms (kata), self-defense concepts and techniques, sparring, weapons, martial arts history and lineage, which is passed down to the students. Additionally, all candidates had to submit an essay on leadership.
Seven students from the Lynnfield school were scheduled to test in March, with three candidates receiving Junior Black Belt rank promotions, three candidates receiving Adult Black Belt rank promotions and one that was unable to test as scheduled, but tested for his Junior Black Belt on April 6. Ayla Davis, Vera Davis and Lucy Hansen all earned the rank of Junior First Degree Black Belt, Chris Ladd earned his Adult First Degree Black Belt. Sensei Barbara Sweeney earned her Adult Second Degree Black Belt and Sensei Nathaniel Jorgenson earned his Adult Fourth Degree Black Belt. James Olaes was unable to participate, but Cervizzi’s wished him the best of luck before he took his Junior Black Belt exam on April 6.
Of the 30-plus candidates that participated, six were nominated for an additional recognition “Superstar of the Test” for going above and beyond. Two Lynnfield students, Ayla and Vera Davis, were both voted “Superstars of the Test” by all instructors overseeing the exam. Soke Paul Cervizzi, the founder of Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy, and several of his senior black belt instructors conducted the exam.
THE CERVIZZI’S MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY recently administered a Black Belt Exam. Front row, from left, Ayla Davis and Soke Paul Cervizzi. Middle row, from left, Shihan Alan Klapman, Shihan Emily Donnellan, Lucy Hansen, Vera Davis, Shihan Diana Dustin and Chris Ladd. Back row, from left, Sensei Nathaniel Jorgenson and Sensei Barbara Sweeney.
