Dear Colleen and Tony,

On behalf of the entire Jared Eliot Middle School, I would like to thank you for your participation in "Healthy Choices Day: 2007". I appreciate your involvement as it helped make this a very special day for all. Your workshop was well received by the students. It meant a lot to me personally to have you involved in the day.

Thanks once again and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Most sincerely,

Dawn Paradis, Healthy Choices Day Coordinator

Jared Eliot Middle School

ADDENDUM:  10/29/2007

Colleen,

Just to let you know after going through 460 student evaluation sheets, that those who attended your workshop LOVED IT!!! It was the perfect activity for them! I appreciate yours and Tony's participation!

Thanks again,

Dawn

Dear Tony,

In 2005, we were looking for a non-team activity for our six-year old daughter that would combine the aspects of athletics, the performing arts, physical conditioning as well as enhancing inter-personal relationships and self-reliance with other children of different ages, skills and maturity levels. We looked towards karate, inquired at different schools, then visited The Kempokan, formally located in Clinton, CT and we saw what we liked immediately.

Your positive attitude, energy and deep passion for the philosophy and form of martial arts is evident. After observing a few of the different classes he instructed, we knew that once we joined your dojo, that our daughter would be the beneficiary of a great deal more than just the rubber-stamp acquisition of a belt level. You inspire students - both children, adolescents and adults - to choose and believe in their own individual paths to success; to dig down and use all of their inherent resolve, energy and determination in learning the demanding martial arts process, which only reaps rewards as it touches upon other areas in daily life.

Our daughter, loves the classes, thinks Tony is "the best". She enjoys her fellow students and just recently advanced to a Junior Black Belt. We appreciate the fact that you do not hand-out belts as if they were candy. Students who exhibit the desire, the stamina and dedication earn advancement with hard work and perseverance. You also present a human personality to the students. You are not regimented, yet you are deadly serious; you have a great sense of humor which the students (and parents) love; your good-natured and comfortable and you use your effective and captivating personal qualities to great advantage in the learning process and not to just put on a show for the scheduled hour.

It illustrates that you honestly love your work. Just by watching the great number of classes as we have, we see the pride you take in the daily classes and the intense effort you deliver. We as parents are amazed and respectful of the energy level you maintain and your devotion towards your chosen craft.

If parents want to have their children potentially develop a positive, good-natured and unselfish outlook towards all that which is important in the learning process, then I suggest you introduce yourself to The Kempokan of Killingworth, CT.

Thanks Tony, you're the best!

Lory & Peter Krivosky

Clinton, CT

February 9, 2007

Dear Tony,

The difference between your studio and our previous studio is like night and day. Our previous studio in Westport was more like a martial arts mill. as long as parents arrived with checks, their children got belts. The owner never taught classes and the other instructors talked among themselves while the kids practiced their moves.

When our daughter came to you as a Junior Black Belt, you were kind enough not to downgrade her although her skills were barely that of a Blue Belt. She is now up to speed and I thank you for the grace and tact that you exhibited getting her to her current status.

It's not enough that you know every student's name (which amazes me) and that you give a lot of the kids nicknames and it's not enough that you teach every class - your talent is the passion you have in getting your students to be as proficient as possible and that they exhibit conscientious behavior and dilligence in their practice. You just don't take people's money. And you just don't hand out belts. And you don't pander to indulgent parents that use your studio to keep kids "busy".

The other thing we like is how your classes are always a little different. The "games" you create to teach skillsare always fun, challenging and keep things from getting "routine".

Your dedication, passion and tenacious professionalism rub-off on all those that are lucky enough to study with you. And if they don't posess the qualities that you stand for they don't last long in your studio. And somehow you do it all seemingly without stress and with great humor - now that's an art!

In closing, we only have two words for you - thank you!

Leslie Singer & Ron Hook

Madison, CT

December 2005

Harbor News

Shore Publishing

724 Boston Post Road

Madison, CT 06443

Letter to the Editor:

You can probably go to any town in the country and find at least a handful of worthy people who deserve honorable mention for efforts or contributions on behalf of their community. I suppose, however, the distinction is who deserves the recognition. To that end, I would like to recognize Anthony DeAngelo, sensei and owner of Kempokan Karate in Clinton, who I feel continually brings something special to the children in my community as well as those who come from surrounding shoreline towns.

As just one example of this man's positive influence on our kids, he corralled his entire enrollment base on behalf of Clinton's Youth & Family Services in a Kick-a-Thon charity event at his studio. Tony pushed for everyone to gather pledges even if they couldn't personally "kick" the day of the event, as he would do their kicks for them. He made the children understand the importance of giving back to their community and the other kind of "strength" it would give them "strength of character". It came as no surprise to those who know his exuberant personality and determination that Tony raised approximately $6000!!

In a world often spiraling out of control with safety issues for our children, Tony is more than a "karate instructor" teaching the art of self-defense. He is a huge role model and mentor for our kids. When I enrolled my kindergarten son two years ago at Kempokan, I knew the martial arts mentality Tony demanded of his kids. Self-respect, self-control, and self-discipline are of paramount importance to advancing up the ranks. Yet, amazingly, he manages to keep the kids engaged and entertained with each and every lesson. Sit in on any class that Tony is teaching and watch him in his element. The children love and respect him and perhaps that is the best testimonial he can have.

With all the news today of drugs, war, and day-to-day complaints about the environment in which we are raising our children, what more can a community hope for than to have a resident and businessman like Mr. DeAngelo as an instrumental part in the everyday lives of its children.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Anna M. Shapiro

Clinton, CT

August 12, 2005

To Whom it May Concern:

If you take a minute to reminisce about your school years, I'm sure you'll remember most of your teachers were adequate, some even very good. If you were extremely fortunate, one or two of them shone brighter than the rest-a special few who through an inimitable combination of personality, intelligence, energy, and just plain heart could inspire, motivate, and draw out of any roomful of kids whatever was best in them-could create and sustain an environment of communal respect, love of learning, excitement and fun, so that you couldn't wait to get to class. Teachers capable of inspiring such eagerness are extremely rare, but Tony DeAngelo, owner and chief martial arts instructor of the Clinton Kempokan is assuredly among them.

In the year and a half my daughter has attended his school, I've seen Tony light a fire of enthusiasm in the eyes of every child passing through the Kempokan's doors. Tony's unique blend of technical expertise, mental flexibility, energy, and empathy allows him to reach and teach every child-not just the driven, athletically talented ones but especially all of the others-the children who've never found a sport they liked, the loners, the children who have difficulty focusing, the active, spirited kids whose impulsive natures have tended to obscure their gifts-I've been particularly moved to watch as Tony, supported by a wonderful teaching staff, helps these ducklings grow into coordinated, focused, self-controlled, confident swans.

My heartfelt thanks go to Tony and to all of the other Kempokan instructors for the fire you've all ignited in my own child's eyes. It's a joy to watch her blossom.

I enthusiastically recommend the Clinton Kempokan to all parents as a fantastic resource for the entire family.

Sincerely,

Schoenly Lester

Killingworth, CT

August 4, 2005

Anthony DeAngelo

Kempokan Martial Arts

227 East Main Street

Clinton, CT 06413

Dear Tony,

Yesterday Mike and I watched with such pride and amazement Giovanni advance to another level and earn his orange belt. We are so pleased with his achievements since starting karate with you, Colleen and Donny. His progress is a testimony to all of you and your commitment in teaching these children this art as well as respect, responsibility and self-control. All of you have incredible patience and humor while demanding the best out of your students in a very positive environment. Your lessons in knowing when help is needed and getting it, is also significant because in July Giovanni was credited with saving the life of a three-year old friend.

We certainly thank you and recommend your studio.

Sincerely yours,

Deborah Cassella

December 6, 2004

Please allow me to express my feelings and thanks to The Kempokan. What can I say! The Kempokan and Tony DeAngelo have been a blessing to my son and me. My son Steven has grown up in a single parent home since he was 1 1/2 years of age. With the absence and lack of contact from his father, Steven has had some troubling issues. His self esteem, value of worth, confidence, self discipline, trust and respect were at the top of my list of major concerns. At the age of 8 we moved to CT. in hopes of a better education. Being the new kid on the block has proven to be tough for he wasn't accepted very well by some of the kids and has made it difficult for him to make friends.

Steven had started classes with Tony in June of 2004 and here we are in the beginning of December. In the past 5 months, I have seen my son grow as an individual and prosper from Tony's guidance. I have seen Steven's value of self worth, confidence, respect to self and others climb greatly in this short time. When Tony is teaching a class, I have watched how he goes about it. He has a way of demanding respect yet he is respectful in the way he gets it. The children in his class, I think, look at Tony as a big kid with a positive attitude. These children really look up to him. I know by the look in my son's eyes that he sees Tony as a dependable male roll model... something my son hasn't had before. Although my son is having fun and has a feeling of being accepted by his peers in class, I know he is learning VALUABLE lessons that will help guide him for the rest of his life. The children in all of the classes that I have seen really enjoy what they do, enjoy what they learn and look forward to going to the next class. As for my son, I have seen a happier, more confident, more trusting kid who seems to be a lot happier deep inside where it really counts.

Thank you Tony for the balance you have helped bring into my sons life.

Sincerely,

Laurel Irvine

Madison, CT

July 29, 2004

Letter To The Editor:

I enrolled my active 7-year old son in Tony DeAngelo's Kempokan Karate studio in Clinton and was so pleased that I decided I had to find a way to tell other parents about his fabulous program. It saved my sanity.

My son's 2nd grade teacher had been a student of Tony's and recommended him to us to help my son increase his concentration and self-discipline. I was a very big skeptic. I feared my son would learn new skills and possibly use them on other children. I was so wrong.

Instead, I have a 3rd grader today who is reading all the time, making his bed, cleaning his room and going to bed without a hassle. He does his homework without complaint and brushes the dog, too! What a change and it has lasted

I just had to tell other Coastline parents that there is a solution to the stresses we face raising active kids. I am so pleased with my son's improved self-esteem, self-discipline and perseverance along with many other positive benefits he has derived from the karate class.

Tony DeAngelo has a great sense of humor and a relaxed style that makes a parent want to stay and watch class because he makes it so interesting!

At a time in our nation's history when we are facing increased tensions from terrorism and security issues at home, it is great to have a safe community atmosphere at the studio, where my child can go to relax in a healthy lifestyle.

I highly recommend The Kempokan in Clinton to everyone.

Sincerely,

Daria I. Novak

Madison, CT

Harbor News

To the Editor:

I would like to recognize Tony DeAngelo, owner and Chief Instructor of The Kempokan Dojo in Clinton.

For the past six weeks, Mr. DeAngelo has volunteered his time to run a karate club as part of Pierson P.M., the after-school activity program at Abraham Pierson School. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. DeAngelo and Kempokan Dojo, our fourth and fifth grade students were able to receive a valuable introduction to martial arts instruction. Participants enhanced their physical skills while developing the qualities of discipline, respect and self-control. The Pierson P.M. program is based on the belief that learning is a constant process that extends beyond the walls of the classroom.

On behalf of the entire Pierson School community, I thank Mr. DeAngelo for sharing our belief and dedicating his time and energy to the children of Pierson School.

Marcie Ware

Pierson P.M. Program Coordinator

Clinton, CT

November 25, 2003

The Harbor News

P.O. Box 1010

724 Boston Post Road

Madison, CT 06443

To the Editor,

There are people among us who live their lives asking not what others can do for them but what they can do for others They do not seek recognition or applause for these efforts. Anthony DeAngelo is such an individual.

Tony owns Kempokan, a martial arts studio, here in Clinton A martial artist for 18 years, he can teach you to defend yourself. But if you listen closely, he can also teach you that a martial artist is more than someone who can punch and kick. A true martial artist lives by a code of conduct, incorporating respect, self-control and self-discipline into every aspect of his/her life. Since opening his doors in June, I have seen Tony dedicate much time not only to his students, but also to the youth of our town He has been involved with the school's after hours programs and does not accept recompense. He instead donated all funds back to the school to benefit the student body. He has offered 4 scholarships (one per school) for children in need of some positive structure, who might not be able to afford it. For his own students, he provides a homework room and tutor after school. He and his wife, Cathy, sponsor quarterly "movie nights" at no charge and provide pizza and beverages for these events. A canned goods collection for Clinton Social Services is planned in the next two weeks.

Tony is always looking for new avenues to reach out to the young people of Clinton Kudos to Tony, he recognizes they are a future I'm proud to be part of the Kempokan family. Although you can't hear it, for where I'm sitting the applause is deafening.

Colleen A. Topitzer

Clinton, CT

Yale University School of Medicine