When Sensei Len Testa was teaching his Uechi-ryu Karate Class at the Brockton Community School's After School Program, he had an eight year old student who kept resigning up when the program renewed every 8 week period. In 2000, when Mr. Testa opened up the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy, this student joined as the first junior student of the school. He went on to become a junior leader and was instrumental in helping sensei teach and guide the younger students. In November of 2007 this student, then a senior at Brockton High, was inducted into the National Honor Society. At his induction ceremony, the Brockton High School awarded Mr. Testa this Special Recognition Award for Inspirational Teacher.

Sensei - I wanted to let you know how much our family appreciates the
work you are doing at BUKA. My son and daughter love going to the dojo,
and the benefits they have received are too many to list in this email.
You deliver a combination of encouragement and discipline that I haven't
seen anywhere else. The skills and ideals you impart to your students
have so many practical applications. I can't thank you enough for the
job you are doing. Your school is an asset to our community, and please
keep up the great work.

Craig M.

When I first started karate, I had no idea of what to expect. I had jumped to so many sports and hobbies, that karate just seem like just another thing to pass the time. Besides that I was afraid of fighting all together. I began my training at BUKA when I was fourteen going on fifteen. This was almost 3 years ago. I suppose you wouldn't know it by looking at me now, but when I first started I was extremely shy. I was very unconfident in athletic activities, outside of soccer and gymnastics. Also, I was scared to death if I ever came into a confrontation with anyone. My best feat in this area was to run and hide behind any and everyone that I could. Through my time at BUKA, a lot of things changed about me persona. First, my confidence grew extremely. An innumerable amount of challenges, that previously would have shaken me to the core, I found I was trying. Second, I saw that my people skills improved. I have to say, in this case, you have to learn fast; especially since this discipline calls for more than one person, a lot of the time. Third, and the biggest, I saw growth in my maturity as well. My goals, which I had set for myself, were and still are changing. I also gained the confidence to know, that I not only could protect myself, but also the people whom I cared about. Karate has been a wild and unimaginable experience for me. It is so much more than the fights on television and the cool move that the hero swings. Inclosing, I one saying truly sticks out in my mind. IT doesn't make much sense until you begin training. "I gave my life to karate and karate gave me a way of life."

Thank you so much sensei, and everyone in the BUKA family! God bless you all.

In Christ
Justin R.

I like karate because when I came here I didn't have much self esteem as others around me did. I felt that everyone was smarter than me and what would be the use of competing against someone else of they were going to win anyway. Karate showed me how to be confident and not to look down on myself because I thought that I wasn't worth the time. It also showed me personal life skills that were very beneficial to my social life and character. And also I like the feeling that at anytime if I'm in life threatening danger that I can stay cool and calm and that I can help other people to safety.

Jacob R.

Dear Sensei Len,

I wanted to thank you. I did read in your newsletter that you like to hear what is happening in a child's life that may effect them so hear goes. Two years ago this month (name omitted) and I went to court to get emergency custody of (name omitted). The long and short of it is something was happening at her mother's house that was causing her to be so sick that every time we turned around she was at the doctors. After 2 years of intense therapy from MSPCC and believe it or not the patience and kindness of you, her sensei, and the focus of karate, (name omitted) has been able to begin to touch on being sexually abused by both her mother and grandfather. She has developed such self esteem over the last 6 months. It has given her the courage to begin to tell her story. Yesterday we were at a place where the D.A. was trying to watch (name omitted) try to tell but it didn't work. She was very upset when it was over and disappointed in herself because she could not talk to a stranger. She didn't want to go to karate but her dad insisted and off they went. I heard she did super! I also want to thank you for helping (name omitted) too. Here he was this big guy dancing through life and "BOOM" having never been able to help raise (name omitted) from the 11th month of her life, he was now a full time dad of a child with horrible secrets. You have helped him develop such patience. He respects you so much and loves how you are with (name omitted) . Its like you can sense the things that are happening in her little brain.

Thank you so much. Without you we could not be this far. May God bless you.

Sincerely,
(name omitted)