The E.S.K.K® Student of the Year Award (SOTYA) is both a special honour and a great achievement within the group. It is presented to karate students who have shown outstanding qualities and whose commitment, dedication and selflessness can act as an inspiration to all other members.
What makes the SOTYA so special is that the final decision is not only made by the Chief Instructor, but is also influenced by every other member of the group. Each year, a student is selected based on a member's poll, ongoing suitability assessments and a meeting with the most senior members of the group. Using this information as a guide, the Chief Instructor makes the final decision as to who should achieve the award.
The award is presented "for In recognition of displaying exceptional qualities in the dedicated practice of traditional karate, outstanding contributions in support of our dojo and unwavering commitment towards ongoing personal development, standing as fine inspiration for others to follow." It is presented each year to coincide with our annual celebrations.
Above: 2021 award winners Simon Marley (senior) and Shaun Taylor (junior).
What makes the SOTYA so special is that the final decision is not only made by the Chief Instructor, but is also influenced by every other member of the group. Each year, a student is selected based on a member's poll, ongoing suitability assessments and a meeting with the most senior members of the group. Using this information as a guide, the Chief Instructor makes the final decision as to who should achieve the award.
The award is presented "for In recognition of displaying exceptional qualities in the dedicated practice of traditional karate, outstanding contributions in support of our dojo and unwavering commitment towards ongoing personal development, standing as fine inspiration for others to follow." It is presented each year to coincide with our annual celebrations.
Above: 2021 award winners Simon Marley (senior) and Shaun Taylor (junior).
Group picture of our awards presentation during our 15th Anniversary Celebration on 30th March 2019.
Student of the Year Hall of Fame
The SOTYA has been a very important to us since we first opened our doors back in 2004. Below is a record of all the individuals who have shown exemplary qualities in the past to be recognised as fine ambassadors for our group.
Senior Award Winners:2020 - 2021: Simon Marley
2019 - 2020: Paul Stewart 2018 - 2019: Stuart Rigg 2017 - 2018: Elaine Ashford 2016 - 2017: Thomas Duggan 2015 - 2016: Sophie Cullen 2014 - 2015: John Smallman 2013 - 2014: Kelvin McDonald 2012 - 2013: Peter Hinde 2011 - 2012: David Forsythe 2010 - 2011: Matthew Easdon 2009 - 2010: Stuart Graham 2008 - 2009: Mark Stevens 2007 - 2008: Ian Walker 2006 - 2007: Jonathan Roll 2005 - 2006: Peter Hinde 2004 - 2005: David Parker |
Junior Award Winners:2020 - 2021: Shaun Taylor
2019 - 2020: Natasha McDonald 2018 - 2019: Emmie Ling 2017 - 2018: Euan Renkin-Chare 2016 - 2017: Harvey Hurst 2015 - 2016: Owen Hughes 2014 - 2015: Daniel Laurie 2013 - 2014: Dominic Mills 2012 - 2013: Phoebe Forster |
The eloquent poem below was written by our 2011 - 2012 winner, David Forsythe as part of his handover and was proudly recited to all members present in the dojo on 27th April 2013:
"So Far"
For the new award winners, my Sensei, Sempai, Kohai and all at The E.S.K.K® Dojo...
A year past at the Adams Hall
I was asked to stand and let them hear
Thoughts at being the student picked
To take the honour for that year.
My words were lost in startled shock
Brain froze up, no thoughts to find
So I’ll put that right this time from heart
In verse to help if you all don’t mind.
So what have I done?
And what else learned?
I followed my path,
To another belt earned
Helped the show team,
On stage, give their all
And spread Sensei’s word
From my seat on the stall!
I missed the Gasshuku,
My spirits did sink
But made up at year end
With good food and drink
To cubs and scouts
This art we did show
And some of them joined
To help the group grow!
But why’s it so special? It’s just an award?
So different to the walls full of frames showing merit?
From “ten metres swam” to cub pack support
And exam results that show that I “get it”.
I’ve records for sprints and trophies for race wins
Licence to show I can ride, drive or fly
I’ve passes at college and colours to prove it
But none compare to this honour; here’s why:
It’s measured in sweat
Not bench mark or pass score
For spirit and effort
Fall down but get up more
It’s chosen by friends
Who know how you feel
By Kohai and Sempai
Share pain so real.
It’s not how you measure
To a number or test
But how you push on
When not at your best.
It’s not to compare
To some fixed, standard way
But today are you better
Than you were yesterday?
So what will it mean when this honour will pass
To a new set of students who have shown to us all
That they too have stood out to all who train with them?
Will it become just a plaque on the wall?
We’ll see what you think when I say from the heart
It’s humbling when peers pick you out from the rest
Themselves dedicated and skilled at their art.
Of all my achievements this year was the best!
.....So far!
I'm very grateful, honoured and proud to be passing this award on,
David Forsythe.
A year past at the Adams Hall
I was asked to stand and let them hear
Thoughts at being the student picked
To take the honour for that year.
My words were lost in startled shock
Brain froze up, no thoughts to find
So I’ll put that right this time from heart
In verse to help if you all don’t mind.
So what have I done?
And what else learned?
I followed my path,
To another belt earned
Helped the show team,
On stage, give their all
And spread Sensei’s word
From my seat on the stall!
I missed the Gasshuku,
My spirits did sink
But made up at year end
With good food and drink
To cubs and scouts
This art we did show
And some of them joined
To help the group grow!
But why’s it so special? It’s just an award?
So different to the walls full of frames showing merit?
From “ten metres swam” to cub pack support
And exam results that show that I “get it”.
I’ve records for sprints and trophies for race wins
Licence to show I can ride, drive or fly
I’ve passes at college and colours to prove it
But none compare to this honour; here’s why:
It’s measured in sweat
Not bench mark or pass score
For spirit and effort
Fall down but get up more
It’s chosen by friends
Who know how you feel
By Kohai and Sempai
Share pain so real.
It’s not how you measure
To a number or test
But how you push on
When not at your best.
It’s not to compare
To some fixed, standard way
But today are you better
Than you were yesterday?
So what will it mean when this honour will pass
To a new set of students who have shown to us all
That they too have stood out to all who train with them?
Will it become just a plaque on the wall?
We’ll see what you think when I say from the heart
It’s humbling when peers pick you out from the rest
Themselves dedicated and skilled at their art.
Of all my achievements this year was the best!
.....So far!
I'm very grateful, honoured and proud to be passing this award on,
David Forsythe.
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