Fred DePalma

My idea of a hero is someone who’s willing to help others with their needs and work with them. He’s my hero because he kept on pushing me to do my best. He helped me with my confidence, my strength, and my balance. He’s the one that started DePalmas Team USA (karate studio). He’s a father, a mentor and he’s a great motivator. He lives in Arizona. This man is Master Fred DePalma. He always makes sure we’re achieving our goals and persevering through the entire belt exam.

Master DePalma has been teaching karate since 1981. The DePalma’s Team USA karate schools started in 1986. Master DePalma was a former National Champion. He has over 700 trophies and awards. Master DePalma was a direct student of Grandmaster Greg Silva. Master DePalma is currently a seventh degree black belt. I hope that one day I can be as great as Master DePalma and receive my seventh degree black belt.

DePalma’s Team USA is the name of the karate studio that I go to and learn how to defend my self from danger. In the beginning of the class we do a five to ten minute stretch and warm up. Once we get back on the mat we split up into groups depending on our belt ranks, beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Every four weeks we learn a new techniques, which are called a cycle. In one cycle we learn self-defense techniques. This is what we use if someone were to hold a gun or come at us with a knife. In another cycle we learn a kata. A kata is a whole bunch of different moves put together in a form. These are used if there’s more than one person attacking us.

“It’s not about what I’ve done. It’s about what we can do for you.” This quote is from Master DePalma himself. Their schools have helped me to be a better person. My confidence level has really improved. I am more confident in everything I do from my schoolwork, friendships as well as my family life. I have gained more than I ever imagined from DePalma’s program of martial arts.