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Master Stephen Barrett
Master Judith Nolin

 

P.O. Box 1203
179 Commerce Street
Williston, VT 05495-7150
(802) 860-0661

 

Master Stephen Barrett

A 7th degree Blackbelt, Master Barrett has been involved in the Martial Arts for over Thirty seven years.  He started his training with Grandmaster Duk, Sung Son of the World Taekwon-Do Association in New York, founded and presided over the IBM Karate Club for four years, was the director of Taekwon-Do for the Essex Junction Recreational Department for over thirty years, has been the director of Taekwon-Do for Essex Town, taught numerous after-school programs for the "Y" (Richmond, Burlington, S.Burlington, Essex Junction, Essex Town), was Master Instructor for the Jericho Center Academy of Taekwon-Do, was the Master Instructor and director of Taekwon-Do at the Movement Center in Essex Junction for  fourteen years, was the publisher and editor of the Vermont Martial Arts Association Newsletter for five years serving all martial arts disciplines in the state.  He is a certified USSSA Taekwondo double A Center Referee and officiating judge.  Master Barrett is the New England (Region One) Chief Referee for the USSSA and a member of the New England USSSA Taekwon-Do Association Executive Committee. He is the Master Instructor and president of KOJO Academy of Taekwon-Do in Williston, Vermont.  He is a dedicated Taekwon-Do Instructor who believes that Taekwon-Do should be taught in a non-contact  format for the general public (light contact and full contact in competition with appropriate safety gear and rules) and supports a non-competitive, friendly, family atmosphere while still retaining the traditional values and teaching approaches but embracing modern training methods at the same time.

 

Kojo

 

KOJO means "High Tide" and is representative of Taekwon-Do's characteristic "up/down" motion (the wave) and Ki (energy) flow.

Student Oath 

  •  I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
  •  I shall be respectful of the instructor and the seniors
  •  I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
  •  I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
  •  I shall build a more peaceful world. 

 

Taekwon-Do

 

Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self-defense utilizing the whole body, the mind and the spirit as a weapon.. Translated, Taekwon-Do means the "art of using the hands and the feet". The utmost purpose of Taekwon-Do is to eliminate fighting by discouraging  the stronger's oppression of the weaker with a power that must be based on humanity, justice, morality, wisdom and faith, thus helping to build a better and more peaceful world. Though it is a martial art, its discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve.  It is this mental conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist, content with mastering only the fighting aspects of the art.  This art of self-defense is specially designed for swift retaliation against the moving aggressor.  Even if Taekwon-Do is practiced for the sake of exercise alone, the enjoyment derived will justify the time invested and spent.  As an exercise, it is equally suitable for the old and young, male and female.  Taekwon-Do also enhances the emotional and psychological characteristics of the practitioner.  It  provides benefits in perceptual-motor organization, concentration, vision, body development, aerobic conditioning of the heart and lungs and provides training in body control which is valuable in the pursuit of any other sport or physical activity. 

Tenets of Taekwon-Do

  • Courtesy
  • Integrity
  • Perserverance
  • Self Control
  • Indomitable Spirit