Songahm Martial Arts Academy Whale Pass

07/23/2026

🥋🌎 What an incredible week for our Whale Pass students at the ATA World Championships in Phoenix, Arizona! 🌎🥋

The week begins with the Tournament of Champions, where qualified Black Belts from around the world compete for World Titles and the previous season's top awards. It concludes with the Super 20 Tournament, which kicks off the new tournament season with some of the toughest competition of the year.

🎉 Congratulations to Joseph Hillis on an outstanding first appearance in the highly competitive 13–14 Boys 1st Degree Black Belt Division at the Super 20 Tournament!

🏅 Results:
🥉 3rd Place - Traditional Weapons
🥈 2nd Place – Sparring
🥈 2nd Place – Creative Forms
🥈 2nd Place – Creative Weapons
🥇 1st Place – Extreme Forms
🥇 1st Place – Extreme Weapons

Joseph represented Whale Pass with skill, determination, and sportsmanship. We couldn't be more proud of his performance!

🏆 We also want to recognize an extraordinary achievement by Jesse Dempsey, who was named not only the North American Junior Black Belt of the Year, but also the Worldwide Junior Black Belt of the Year for ATA Martial Arts!

This prestigious award recognizes far more than tournament success. The recipient is chosen for demonstrating outstanding character, leadership, dedication to training, service to others, and living the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo both on and off the mat. After being selected as North American Junior Black Belt of the Year by the Master's Council, Jesse was then chosen over the international recipient to receive the highest honor worldwide.

To earn this recognition is an incredible accomplishment, and we are immensely proud of the example Jesse sets for younger students, his teammates, and our community.

Congratulations to both of these outstanding young men! Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment continue to inspire us all.

💙 The students of Whale Pass continue to prove that no community is too small to produce world-class leaders and champions. 🥋🌎

06/21/2026

06/09/2026

🏆🔥 SONGAHM MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY – WHALE PASS CELEBRATES OUR NORTHWEST DISTRICT CHAMPIONS! 🔥🏆

Our students traveled to the Northwest District Championships and represented Alaska with determination, perseverance, and the Spirit of Songahm. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments!

5 students, 35 Qualified Events, 20 Medals and 1 Regional award!

🥇 **Joseph Hillis** – Boys Color Belt 11–12 Division
🏆 Northwest District Champion in:
• Traditional Weapons
• Sparring
• Combat Sparring
• Creative Forms
• Creative Weapons
• Extreme Forms
• Extreme Weapons

🥈 2nd Place Traditional Forms

Joseph earned an incredible **7 District Titles** and remains the **Alaska State Champion in all 8 events!**

🥇 **Kayden Jones** – Girls Color Belt 14 & Under Special Abilities Division
🏆 Northwest District Champion in:
• Traditional Forms
• Traditional Weapons
• Sparring
• Combat Sparring
• Creative Forms
• Creative Weapons
• Extreme Forms
• Extreme Weapons

Kayden swept the competition with an amazing **8 District Titles** and is also the **Alaska State Champion in all 8 events!**

🥇 **Landon Collins** – Boys Color Belt 9–10 Division
🏆 Northwest District Champion in Combat Sparring

🥉 3rd Place:
• Creative Weapons
• Extreme Forms
• Extreme Weapons

Landon continues to impress and remains the **Alaska State Champion in all 8 events!**

👏 **Joey Denham** – Boys Color Belt 11–12 Division
Qualified and competed in:
• Traditional Weapons
• Sparring
• Combat Sparring

This was Joey's first year competing, and he made a strong showing while gaining valuable experience. Earlier this season, Joey earned 2nd Place in Alaska in Traditional Weapons, Sparring, and Combat Sparring, making his qualification for District Championships a significant accomplishment. We are proud of his effort, courage, and determination!

⭐ **Jesse Dempsey** – Boys 13–14 Year Old 2nd/3rd Degree Black Belt Division
Qualified in all 8 events:
• Traditional Forms
• Traditional Weapons
• Sparring
• Combat Sparring
• Creative Forms
• Creative Weapons
• Extreme Forms
• Extreme Weapons

Although Jesse is still recovering from a knee injury and withdrew from six events, he received one of the highest honors in our region:

🏅 **ATA Region 119A/B Junior Black Belt of the Year**

This award recognizes a junior black belt who exemplifies dedication, leadership, participation, perseverance, and the Spirit of Songahm both on and off the mat. Jesse also remains the **Alaska State Champion in all 8 events.**

These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our students, the support of their families, and the commitment of our instructors. Whale Pass may be small, but our athletes continue to compete and succeed on some of the biggest stages in ATA Martial Arts.

Congratulations, champions! We are proud of each and every one of you! 👊💙🥋

04/26/2026

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04/15/2026

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04/01/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
After extensive evaluation and months of planning, Songahm Martial Arts Academy is proud to officially introduce our New Belt System, effective immediately.
In order to maintain the highest level of discipline, character development, and overall excellence, the following updated requirements will now apply to all students:
• Belt testing will be held every other prime-numbered calendar full moon, weather permitting
• Students must arrive exactly 7 minutes early or precisely on time (early or late arrivals will restart their training cycle)
• All students must complete a 1-mile run, 50 push-ups, and 100 squats prior to testing
• Demonstration of advanced life skills, including:
- Properly folding a fitted sheet
- Parallel parking on the first attempt
- Making a phone call without saying “uhhh”
- Students must successfully complete a verbal conflict resolution scenario with a parent or instructor
• Board breaking has been upgraded to include:
- Concrete
- Ice
- One Emotional Barrier
• Sparring rounds may now include unexpected obstacles (music changes, lights off, surprise trivia questions, etc.)
• All Black Belt candidates must:
- File a basic tax return
- Cook a complete meal for their family
- And assemble a piece of furniture without leftover parts
We believe these new standards will build not only stronger martial artists but more well rounded individuals prepared for anything life throws at them.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing everyone rise to the challenge.
Thank you,
Management. 😂🤣

(Borrowed from Ms. Okeeffe)