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Since I was a little girl I wanted to be like my Uncle Mike. He was very special to me and spent a lot of time with me. He affectionately gave me the nickname, JackRabbit. Which I am still known today by. I remember going to a tournament to watch him and thinking I want to do this. When I was 8, I got my first chance to join his karate class. I loved it, but was not ready to take karate. In the early days there were no kids classes. I got my chance again at 12. I was ready! Uncle Mike gave me his first gi to wear. I felt so special.
Every since that day, my entire teenage world was built around karate. It was my passion and extended family. It was my social life, my exercise and a place I learned and excelled. This is where I grew up. Competing was my favorite thing to do. I had a serious case of stage fright in those days. But in karate, that fright was never an issue. Living up to my uncle's excellent reputation was difficult. He was the best and still is. At age 16, I earned my black belt. The best day in my karate life. It was one of the hardest things I had ever done at that age and one of the proudest when my uncle Mike tied that black belt around my waist.
In my adult years, I attended karate as much as my life allowed. I finally had to leave karate for good due to joint damage. I am now a mother and grandmother. I work as a photographer among other things. I always carry the lessons I learned in karate. Not just how to defend myself, but the life lessons that takes a person through adulthood and make us better people. Looking back on the years growing up in Mike Hess Karate are the fondest memories for me. I thank my wonderful and patient uncle, Mike Hess for so much.
Karate Students Place In Tournament
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date November 19, 1993
- First place in the black belt women’s form division and fighting in the black belt women’s division. She also finished third in weapons in the black belt weapons division.
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date October 9, 1990
- Black Belt Weapon Kata: first place, Fourth place Kata, Finalist Men Division middle weight — fourth place
Results From Karate Festival Announced
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date April 5, 1989
- Second in Kata, brown belt women, fourth in weapons and fourth in fighting
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date December 13, 1987
- First in kata, weapon and fighting in the adult division blue-brown
Awards Go To Several Hess Karate Students
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date February 3, 1987
- Third place in kata
Karate Students Place In Region
Published in the Aiken Standard
Date August 28, 1985
- "Placed in all of their divisions"
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