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No. 2 Vol. 12
www.thehackettstownnews.com
December 2016
Local Taekwondo Students To Compete In U.S. Open
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By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta icholas Heinstohn, 11, of Budd Lake, and Srivalli Zalluri, 13, of Hackettstown, are blackbelts in taekwondo and plan to compete in the U.S. Open tournament in Las Vegas from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4, 2017. Both students practice at the Dragon Den in Budd Lake. The Dragon Den is owned by Samantha Thomas who is also a trainer. Thomas, who has had the studio for four years, said that “both students definitely put in the hard work and don’t miss a single practice.”
At the tournament, Nicholas will be fighting/ sparing and Srivalli will be doing Poomsae – a form of patterns that goes with the black belt level. Srivalli will also be doing a free style choreographed piece. She’s been training since she was nine. What set Nicholas and Srivalli apart from the others, aside from all the hard work to get to the level they are at, is that they and their parents are willing to travel. Thomas said, “The parents get really involved watching what they eat; being responsible with the schoolwork.” While Nicholas, who is
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very much into sports, is more seasoned at taekwondo, this is the first time Srivalli is doing something of this magnitude. “She gets perfect grades,” said Thomas. “She’s into giving everything her best. She’s very dedicated to what we’re working on right now.” Though there will always be hurdles, Thomas said the taekwondo group tries to maintain as a team by encouraging each other. “That’s what sets us apart from other schools,” she said. “There’s a lot of martial arts schools in the area. We’re the only ones who compete at the level we do. We’re part of the U.S. Association of Taekwondo. That’s how the kids are getting into high level.” Thomas, herself, has been practicing 15 years. “For me, growing up, it
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was my passion,” she said, “coupled along with wanting to impact kids’ lives and give them opportunities and reach their fullest potential as people, using taekwondo as my tool to
help the kids in the community.” The U.S. Open is an international competition with competitors from all over the world, but Nicholas and Srivalli had no
doubt they’d get in. “It’s very elite-level competition,” said Thomas. “For them [Nicholas and Srivalli], they very much expected it because they continued on page 2
Toy/Clothing Drive Deadline Dec. 20th
ew View Media Group is holding its annual clothing and toy drive. The company is looking for people to donate new unwrapped toys, as well as new clothing including t-shirts, socks, pants, and winter necessities such as hats, coats, gloves, and scarves (sizes ranging from newborn to 14 year olds). Gift cards will also be accepted. Please drop off all donations to the following locations by Dec. 20…. • New View Media Group, 1 Old Wolfe Road, Budd Lake, NJ (in back). • Weis Supermarkets, Rt. 206, Flanders (drop off at the courtesy counter) • Budd Lake Bagels -141 Route 46, Budd Lake • Mt. Olive Bagels - 135 Route 46 East, Paramount Plaza,
Budd Lake • Fanucci’s - 134 Ledgewood Ave. (Rt. 46 E.), Netcong • Red Dot Firearms – 22 Main Street, Stanhope • Charmoy Dental, 924 Route 10 West, Randolph • Philly Pretzel - 150 Mountain Ave, Hackettstown ( 3 FREE Pretzels when you drop off) • HomeTown Hardware - 234 Main Street, Hackettstown • Fresco Mexican – 137 E. Main Street, Chester For additional information regarding this toy drive or to ask for a list of businesses involved, call Mary on her cell phone at (973)-768-1815 or email at mary.lamala@ gmail.com. She will be able to help with any of your needs as well as comply a list of children and gifts they want for the holiday. Thank you in advance.