In 2022, whistlekick and Martial Journal teamed as much as current the By no means Settle Awards for the primary time and the martial arts neighborhood responded! Earlier this yr there was an important response to the decision for nominations. Nominees from throughout america, in addition to some with recognition across the globe, had been submitted for the 4 awards. As summer time within the northern hemisphere drew to a detailed, voting occurred. As soon as once more, the response surpassed expectations. The By no means Settle Awards staff then reached out to the highest three vote getters for every award to ask them to hitch the staff for the presentation dinner following Free Coaching Day Northeast 2022 in Keene, NH. Throughout dinner, with many family and friends within the room, the By no means Settle Awards Recipients had been Introduced.
The Fundamentals
In case you haven’t been following the By no means Settle Awards this yr, listed here are the fundamentals. Every By no means Settle Award has a spotlight. The Flashlight Award shines a lightweight on these making a distinction to the martial arts neighborhood, no matter rank. The Open Door Award emphasizes neighborhood and inclusiveness. The Enduring Footprint Award acknowledges influence throughout vital quantities of time and distance. The Emissary of the Arts Award highlights those who have contributed to their neighborhood and never simply their artwork. If you want extra info, see the article from earlier this yr.
Issues that weren’t elements within the course of had been type, location, and rank. These aren’t these sorts of awards.
In case you weren’t on the ceremony, and you need to have been, here’s what you missed. Everybody gathered at Tempestas Restaurant in Keene, NH for a bunch of hugs, story telling, smiles, and laughing. As soon as that was below management, whistlekick’s personal Andrew Adams served because the grasp of ceremonies for the occasion. Jeremy Lesniak, founding father of whistlekick, gave a fast speech, after which turned issues over to the committee members. Every committee member learn quick introductions for every of the highest three nominees after which proceeded to do their finest at opening stunning, hand crafted envelopes to seek out out who the recipients had been. For some staff members, together with the author of this text, this proved more difficult than initially anticipated.
Whereas I encourage you to take a look at the bios for ALL of the nominees, listed here are the names of the highest three for every award, in alphabetical order.
Emissary of the Arts Award
Danielle Mathura-Millholen
Colin Moeller
Stephen Watson
Flashlight Award
DeRon Franklin
Peter Rivera
Julianna Sances
Open Door Award
Matt Erolin
Kera Radke
Kellie Thomas
Enduring Footprint Award
Dennis Campo
Scott Lombardo
Brittani Rose
And the 2022 Recipients Have been
Emissary of the Arts – Stephen Watson
Flashlight – Julianna Sances
Open Door – Kellie Thomas
Enduring Footprint – Scott Lombardo
Left to Proper – By no means Settle Awards Director, Staci Grove, Committee Member Chris Rickard, Emissary of the Arts recipient Stephen Watson, Enduring Footprint Nominee Dennis Campo, Open Door Recipient Kellie Thomas, Emissary of the Arts Nominee Danielle Mathura-Millholen, whistlekick Founder Jeremy Lesniak, Committee Member Craig Wharem, Committee Member Tommy Given
Thank You
On behalf of the By no means Settle Awards staff, we want to thank all of our nominators, all of our nominees, and everybody within the higher martial arts neighborhood that assist make this a actuality. We recognize all of you and what you do for martial arts the world over. We’re trying ahead to seeing you once more in 2023.
Chris started his martial arts journey with HapKiDo throughout highschool and ultimately earned his first black belt in Han Guk Moo Sool a couple of decade later. Life took him in a special path and to a special location the place he began instructing highschool science lessons. Over a decade later, he nonetheless teaches highschool science and, as of fall 2021, helps educate on the Kenpo dojo the place he’s an lively pupil.
