Submitted Photo Pictured, from left, are: Grand Master Jim Galati, Sensei Matt Benware, Sensei Garrett Castle, Sensei Jesse Sack, Sensei Vernal Carpenter, Master Sensei Bill Matteson Jr. Sensei Mitchel Miller, Sensei Holly Miller and Master Sensei Dan Krietzbender at Carpenter’s recent advancement ceremony.

Sensei Vernal Carpenter recently advanced to his Shodan black belt through the Fudozen Shorinji Kempo Karate organization, officiated by Grand Master Jim Galati.

Carpenter has been a member of The Family Martial Arts Center since 1996. As a role model and inspiration to many, he has proven to assist with bright futures in students. He has been involved in all of the organization’s outreach programs to help families and he participated in several demonstrations.

The training consists of mental and physical endurance and challenges. One may think the Martial Arts is all physical. Incorrect. Most training is mental. Reading one’s body movements, telegraphing body placements, awareness of surroundings, confidence to make a wise choice, socializing with groups, being able to teach their own individual knowledge to students with precise accuracy, becoming a role model, using the skills learned in other life obstacles and skills (sports and activities) and to persevere as a young adult. Carpenter’s training consisted in punches, kicks, ground defense and offense, balance in the mind and body, grappling, weapons training, and many other aspects of defense.

Carpenter has been active for over 25 years in the Kempo Martial Arts. Carpenter had to take time off from his training several years ago to focus on his military career in the U.S. Army. Now returned, he has been focusing on karate and family.

Carpenter is the son of Robert Carpenter Sr. and Lenora Carpenter. Sensei Carpenter’s daughter, Elena, is following in his footsteps in karate.

Several black belts attended the ceremony along with several students in the organization.