Mr. Derrico is a sixth degree black belt with over 23 years of Tae Kwon Do experience.  Teaching at all three schools, he is the main instructor and the other “behind the scene” coordinator along with Mrs. Derrico.

     I started Tae Kwon Do because of my son, Jake.  Jake was “Ga-Ga” over the Karate Kid movies and would try to perform parts of the movies at home and in the yard.  After watching Jake, we (Mrs. Derrico and I) decided to take him to his first karate class.  I thought that I might as well join him as opposed to sitting and watching.   We started in the Summer of 1987, attending classes in Abbotsford and Wausau under the instruction of Mr. Likes.  The current Derrico’s Abbotsford location is actually where Mr. Likes started a branch of his Wausau karate school back in ’87.

     In December of 1991 I started Derrico's Black Belt School after I had earned my own black belt.  Our first school was located at the old National Guard Armory in Abbotsford.  In 1995 we moved to the present Abbotsford location where Jake and I received our first karate lesson under Mr. Likes.  One of my earliest memories is of a demonstration of a flying side kick ... Mr. Likes stopped in mid-air, just short of the guy's knee.

     I love being a martial arts instructor.  I don’t consider it work.  My specialty, if I would have to choose, would be teaching sparring techniques.  Competitive sparring is one of my passions as well as watching my students use the techniques I have taught them for competition.  Along with sparring, my favorite forms are Yul-Gok and Tong-Il and my favorite kicks are turning sidekick and ax kick.  I also have an extensive list of favorite hand techniques.

     Throughout my martial arts career, I've competed in many tournaments.  In 1995 I won the WPKA Senior Black Belt Division.  At the North Central Karate Association (NCKA) competition in the 50 and over division, I earned a first place finish in forms and sparring in 2008.  So far, I received four (4) second-place awards at the Diamond Nationals ... I'm still trying for first place!

     Besides being one of the owners and main instructor, my other responsibilities include basically everything:  from maintenance to signing up new students; curriculum writing and revision; opening and closing studios; paying bills; tuition management; talking to parents, students, grandparents, etc; to shoveling snow.

Back to top

     As a fourth degree black belt, Mrs. Derrico teaches at all three schools. She is also the "behind the scene" coordinator, taking care of most of the office and bookkeeping responsibilities of Derrico's Black Belt School.

     I started my training as part of a deal with my husband. I reluctantly agreed that if he started a karate school in Abbotsford, I would be his first student. My reluctance turned to passion. I love training and teaching.  I consider my specialty to be forms, and working with the younger kids. It is very rewarding to watch a shy, awkward young student blossom into a confident and capable martial artist.

     Competing in tournaments throughout the years, I participated in both forms and sparring as a colored belt.  Because of a knee injury, I no longer spar, but still compete in forms.  I have taken Grand Champion at Harris' Lambeau Field tournament in Green Bay, and have medaled at the Badger State Games several times, also have competed at the Diamond Nationals several times and was ranked #3 in senior women's forms in the 2007/2008 North Central Karate Association (NCKA) tournament circuit.

     I especially enjoy being a part of the all-women musical team forms that we occasionally put together. Choreographing and coaching these teams is great fun. I also have developed what I call, "Tae Kwon Dorobics" routines that we do in our women's classes. They are martial arts moves that we do to music for an aerobic workout.

     As a grandmother and one of the oldest women in our school, I like to think that I am a good inspiration for women of all ages to give Tae Kwon Do a try.  It is a good way to stay in shape, socialize with others, and challenge yourself both mentally and physically.

     In my spare, non-martial arts time (Which is not very much!), I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, gardening, cooking, and of course spending time with Mr. Derrico in our various "adventures" that we pursue together.

Back to top

     Mrs. Johnson started Tae Kwon Do as a beginner with Derrico's Black Belt School in January 1997. 

     At that time, my husband was an over-the-road truck driver and I was working just part-time in Medford where I knew no one (except for the people I worked with).  One of those people was Peggy Nordgren, and we encouraged/dared each other to start Tae Kwon Do.  I started out first taking a self-defense course with Mrs. Derrico while Peggy had the guts to jump right into the beginners class.  At that time, I asked my husband Lyle what he thought of my taking Tae Kwon Do. He said, “Why not?  Maybe you’ll be a black belt some day.”  And I responded, “Yeah, right, like I would ever be a black belt!” Needless to say I did receive my black belt in April of 2001, and have been instructing ever since. 

     An important aspect of my martial arts training has been competition.  I am not always successful when I compete, but I always enjoy it and learn something from it.  I love instructing, and I am continually trying to find ways to teach not only techniques, but to instill a sense of perseverance and indomitable spirit in my students.

     I think most instructors feel like they have a specialty.  I don’t feel that I do.  (Although I do like a good spinning crescent kick).  I am not just a "forms" person, or a "sparring" person, or even just a "street self-defense" person.  I love the fact that each month brings a new theme for us to work on, one that brings us new challenges.  I can’t say I enjoy teaching one age group more than another.  The variety brings interesting challenges to me. 

     Coaching team forms adds even more variety.  It’s always stressful, but hands down one of the most enjoyable things I do.  I have spent the last 15 years working with adults and children with developmental disabilities in my day job, and hope those experiences bring something unique to my teaching.

     I have also been on the Jake Derrico Memorial Fund Committee since its inception.  I am incredibly proud of my involvement, and the Fund's activities. 

     I’ve had lots of amazing moments during my martial arts career.  The top ones would include receiving the "Student of the Year" award when I was a red belt, as well as being given special recognition in the first year of earning my black belt.  My most cherished moments in competition would have to include when I kicked the head gear right off Victor Garcia’s head at Mr. Like’s tournament in Edgar.  I didn’t win, but it was the first time I competed against a man as a black belt, and that switching ax kick sure got the crowd going.  However, winning grand championship for sparring (men and women) when I beat Mike Sixel in Lac Du Flambeau, felt even better.  (It didn’t hurt that I also won $500 either.  It’s the only grand championship for sparring I’ve ever won, but I’m sure glad it happened at the only tournament I’ve been to that gives cash prizes to the winner). 

     Up until the Fall of the 2009 Derrico’s Invitational Tournament, I had never won a grand championship.  Finally, winning the grand championship for forms felt incredible. My day, week, and month were really "made" when the forms team I coached also won first place!  Now I just have to work on my goal of winning two grand championships on the same day!

Back to top

Back to top

     Mrs. Stratton started Tae Kwon Do in October 2004.  Her son was in a Little Kickers class and she would sit and watch.

     A beginners class was starting and Mrs. Derrico asked me if I was ready to join.  I said no.  After thinking about it for around 5 minutes, I went into her office and said "Sign me up!"  I knew that if I didn't do it now, I might never join.  I wanted to start long before I did, I was afraid that I could not do it.

     I really enjoy forms and helping out in the kids class.  My favorite form is Hwa-Rang and my favorite techniques are crescent kicks.

     In addition to Tae Kwon Do I also attend Eskrima classes (completed level 1), was student of the month, received a certificate of merit, and my family and I were Family of the Year for 2008.

Back to top

Back to top

     Mrs. Heser started Tae Kwon Do on March 8, 1994 and received her black belt on April 28, 2001.  Since starting at Derrico's Mrs. Heser has over 16 years of Tae Kwon Do experience.

     I started Tae Kwon Do because of my kids.  I thought learning self-defense would benefit my life in numerous ways, and the exercise couldn't hurt either.

     My specialty is teaching.  I enjoy showing both kids and adults the proper techniques, forms, and stances that are required when learning a martial art such as Tae Kwon Do.  My favorite form is Yul-Guk, while my favorite techniques are the jump reverse round house kick (or side kick) and a knife hand guarding block/twin forearm guarding block.

     In addition to teaching classes, I also attend open classes; the women's aerobic classes; and on occasion, black belt testings.

     Throughout my Tae Kwon Do career, I have received several "Student of the Month" awards; a first place trophy for team forms; and tenet awards for perseverance and indomitable spirit.

Back to top

     Mrs. Kalmon started Tae Kwon Do in January 2004 and received her black belt on November 10, 2007.

     I started Tae Kwon Do because my husband wanted my kids to join.  I decided I would start as well.

     My specialty would have to be forms.  It's hard to choose just one form as my favorite, as I enjoy doing them all.  If I had to choose just one, it would have to be either Choong-Mo or Ge-Baek mostly because I found them to be the most challenging forms.

     For techniques, I would have to say my current favorite is the jumping back leg side kick turning back kick.  That kick is such a challenge.  I haven't mastered it yet, but I intend to do just that!

Back to top