2006 Press Releases
Bailey’s Black Belt Spectacular Benefits Hospital Foundation for 10th Consecutive Year ROME – There is a reason that Bailey’s Karate School calls their black belt student graduation the “Black Belt Spectacular.” That’s because it is spectacular, according to Sensei David Bruce, who also describes it as “exciting and high energy.” During the 2006 Black Belt Spectacular on Friday, May 12th at the Rome Free Academy in Rome, thirty four karate students from Rome and Herkimer will graduate and give karate demonstrations, beginning at 7 p.m. The show is open to the public. Admission to the event is $3 per person. Tickets are available at Bailey’s Karate Schools, 5872 Rome Taberg Road, Rome and 216 Main Street, Herkimer. For the 10th consecutive year, proceeds from the event will benefit the Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation, which supports the not-for-profit Rome Memorial Hospital. The hospital, which treats patients regardless of their ability to pay, relies on the Foundation to help offset decreasing reimbursements and increasing costs in order to continue to provide quality health care to the greater Rome community. “It (karate) gives them self confidence, it gives them an ability to set and achieve goals,” said Bruce, referring to the students at Bailey’s Karate, which has been operating for 26 years. “It teaches them respect for themselves and other people. In the end, it gives them the ability to defend themselves if necessary,” added Bruce, who is 3rd degree black belt and is a sergeant with the Rome Police Department. “We want to help create quality people for our community – law abiding citizens who give to the community and do something for others not just themselves.” As is true with many students who study karate, David Lebiedniek, 17, a senior at Westmoreland High School, is an achiever and very focused. He is and has been training in the martial arts at Bailey’s Karate now for 11 years. He was the captain last year of his football team. “It helps me to set a goal and achieve it,” he said echoing Bruce’s comments. He also said it gives him self discipline, confidence and “respect for yourself and others.” He plans to pursue studies in computer engineering or science upon graduation. He is the son of David and Karen Lebiednik. Dylan Famolaro, 13, is an 8th grader at Strough Jr. High School and started training when he was 5. He says that the martial arts have taught him to be confident, humble, self-disciplined and strong. He holds a 94 average, is involved in football and wrestling and is a defense attorney for Youth Court. Famolaro said that his parents, Dean and Tara Famolaro, Rome, “pushed me so hard to do well in school and pushed me hard in this and now they don’t have to push me – I do well in both.” Vincente “Vinny” Castro, attends Strough Jr. High School and has started training when he was six years old. “It teaches me self discipline and self respect and I get to teach others karate,” he said. He is an honors student and is involved in lacrosse at school and in the summer leagues. The son of Patricia and Ricardo Castro, he says, “my parent’s think this is good for self defense and it helps on college resumes.” The fifteen students from Bailey’s Rome School that will be honored are: n Jessica Flaim, 12, Staley upper elementary; n James Shaver, 28, a Rome Bailey’s staff member n Tabitha Cieniewicz, 15, Holland Patent High School n David Lebiednik, 17, Westmoreland High School n Corey Hall, 15, Westmoreland High School n Vincente Castro, 14, Strough Jr. High School n Stanley Nobis, 12, Strough Jr. High School n DeVante’ Marshall, 14, Strough Jr. High School n Nikolas Gray, 14, Strough Jr. High School n Cody Anna, 13, Adirondack Middle School n Jeremy Anna, 15, Adirondack High School n Dylan Famolaro, 13, Strough Jr. High School n Josh Hellinger, 13, Adirondack Middle School n Sasha Hulett, 15, Westmoreland Central School n Shannon White, 17, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill The nineteen students from Bailey’s Herkimer School that will be honored are: n Katrina Aiello, 15, Herkimer High School n Lucas Bruzgulis, 11, a home schooled student n Michael Burk, 16, Dolgeville Central School n Ashley Lynn Busch, 15, Little Falls High School n Nicole DeNigro, 13, Ilion Junior High School n Katie Dickson, 15, Little Falls High School n Jillian Kulas, 16, West Canada High School n Korrie Mack, 14, Whitesboro High School n Michael Mack, 12, Whitesboro Middle School n Benjamin Maxson, 11, Richfield Springs Central School n Peter MacKenzie, 14, Herkimer Junior/School High School n Mark Montague, 44, options facilitator n Thomas Montague, 16, West Canada Valley Central School n Troy Moody, 12, West Canada Valley Central School n Patrick Moran, 12, Whitesboro Middle School n Matthew Roberts, 16, Herkimer High School n Jay Scienza, 32, assistant manager for HSBC bank n Ryan Shokey, 13, Richfield Springs Central School n Patrick Squire, 14, Ilion High School “To achieve the level of black belt, it takes an enormous amount of discipline, dedication and perseverance,” said Bruce, who anticipates that there will be 900 people at the Spectacular. “This is our way of letting the families be involved in the graduation to black belt”, he said. “This is our major event of the year.” | 
