In Tiger-Rock locations throughout the United States, community projects both big and small took place as an expression of Tiger-Rock values and holiday spirit. Martial arts students from across the country participated in projects including...

Children do extraordinary things every day, and Noah Lightsey and his sister Juliana are no exception to this rule. Standing in front of the Katy Taekwondo Academy in Katy, TX, on Saturday mornings, Noah, a 9-year-old First Degree Black Belt and a Level 1 Instructor, and Juliana sold lemonade, cookies, hot chocolate, and Christmas ornaments.

we had a great turn-out with numerous individuals from around the nation attending, including franchisees, academy managers and spouses. This event was a huge success and many new ideas for 2012 were presented, with great comments and questions from those who attended.

Students and staff members at Knoxville Taekwondo Academy have been working since May 2011 in efforts to raise money to help Halls High School.

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts International was honored by Entrepreneur Magazine recently by ranking #293 in their 33rd Annual Franchise 500 for 2012.

The Franchise 500 is the "first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking in the world," according to Entrepreneur Magazine’s website. To be considered for this award, Entrepreneur Magazine complies submissions from around the United States and Canada, comparing each on a variety of levels including financial and statistical data from July 2009 through July 2011.

At an early age, we are taught to respect others, including our parents, teachers, and elders. Because we trace our Taekwondo roots to Korean history, it is only natural that respect be a key component in Taekwondo. Respect in the Korean culture is something that has been carried through generations and is demonstrated by passing individuals on the streets of Seoul, Korea, or by international students in colleges all over America. There are even different ways that one would say hello to a friend passing on the street versus saying hello to their boss, parents, or teacher.

"It's November now, and it's getting very cold outside. At night it even goes below freezing! I thought about what it would be like to be outside, without a warm home to stay in, and without proper clothing. Then I realized that there really are homeless people out there, trying to survive. Then I remembered Brown Bag Ministry. Brown Bag Ministry is an organization that gives food to the homeless. On top of that, when it starts getting cold outside, they bring nice, warm clothes for them."

Kavin Wood, 8-years-old and a Tiger-Rock student from Cary, NC, recently celebrated a birthday in addition to the successful completion of his Tiger-Rock Community Service Project. Kavin decided to name his project Hats for Cancer, and with the help of his parents and instructors, the young man raised over $300 and 15 hats in all.

One of the lesser-celebrated holidays in America is America Recycles Day, which falls on November 15.  America Recycles Day began in 1997 and it is the only nationally recognized day in the United States devoted to increasing recycling efforts.

Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Northport, Alabama through it's Adopt-A-School relationship with Northport Elementary School, sponsors a Character Award every nine weeks for students who demonstrate excellent character and leadership as chosen by the classroom teachers. Tiger-Rock presents a certificate and a Character Award T-shirt to one student out of each of the 29 classrooms every nine-weeks.

In an Opelika, Ala., warehouse, the mood was festive as about 70 volunteers, including 20 children, assembled 400 care packages for foster children around the state. "It's fun for the volunteers. It's fun for the organization to get this done," said organizer Blake Melnick, 27. "It's a win-win for everybody."

Ben Laughlin, a Black Belt student at Pflugerville Tiger Rock Academy, truly showed community in his support of victims of the wildfires in Central Texas.  With over 1400 homes completely destroyed there was a great need for assistance.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, the TRMAI Academy in North Austin, Texas held a fundraiser as part of the Martial Arts for St. Jude program.  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital needs $1.6 million a day to fund their lifesaving research and care.  A large portion of their expenses is used to cover patient costs that are not covered by insurance so families are not burdened with the high cost of treatment.  St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay.

Sadie Goldberg chose to perform a Tiger-Rock Community Service Project this cycle by volunteering at her local Farmer's Market. Sadie is 10 years old and a Level 1 1st Degree Black Belt. She assisted with a barbecue fundraiser and had this to say about her project,

Community is one of our 10 Tiger Rock Tenets. We say it before each and every class...and as displayed in our Martial Arts Blog, our Tiger Rock students are very active in their local communities. It is often difficult, however to find programs for our youngest students to serve. With many community service organizations placing age restrictions for participation due to safety and other issues, what programs are available for young people? Programs like Brown Bag Ministry in Apex, North Carolina involves the whole family.

Congratulations to the winners of their very own Custom Tiger-Rock Martial Arts Uniform!

Everyone who registered online for the Tiger-Rock World Championships, held this past July in Baton Rouge, was entered into a contest to win their own new uniform from the new Tiger-Rock Gear store. Chase Bernard, a 7 year old from Louisiana was one of the winners. Fourteen year old Brandon Ash from Florida also won a new uniform; and the final winner who received a uniform from the Tiger-Rock gear store was Jannette Garcia from New Mexico.

By 9 year old Hasitha Tatineni

Doing a TaeKwonDo project is very fun. I did a Henna Stand as my TaeKwondo project. I did it to raise funds for the Alabama tornado victims. First, before doing the actual work, I had to practice the designs with a pencil on a paper. I slowly got better and better at it that I was finally ready to put henna on different people.

Tiger Rock black belt, Ryan Brandt was featured in the Cary News, as well as the Raleigh News and Observer in August for his participation in a Community project with two of his buddies. For 10 days, Ryan and his Salem Middle School classmates, collected 14 bags (or 122 pounds) of recyclables and kept it all from being thrown out at a local store in Apex, North Carolina! Without a recycling program, the three 14 year olds saw the opportunity to make an impact in their community with their Earth Day Project at this local store.

What sets Tiger-Rock apart from everyone else?  As Mr. Brian Sharp tells us... "The prevalence of the new logo and the professionalism of the branding through the banners' shirts' etc made a huge impact. First impressions count' and my first impression was that I was about to be a part of something very special.

I appreciated all the seminars being inside on mats.  In my opinion' this event sets Tiger Rock apart and is an opportunity for students of our arts to learn from world class professionals.