DAVID BAKER / SPECIAL TO THE PVT These students recently moved up in grade at the Dragon Cloud Dojo. Sensei Jose Hernandez stands at the right rear. Advertisement

Sensei Jose D. Hernandez, of Dragon Cloud Dojo, recently tested his largest class to date. Twenty-one students tested for advancement: 11 white belt students tested for their yellow belts, and 10 yellow belt students tested out for advanced yellow belt.

The examination process consisted of an hour and 15 minutes of katas, or forms. Each individual demonstrated proficiency in various blocks, kicks, hand strikes and hand blocks. The more advanced a belt tested for, the more advanced the techniques that had to be demonstrated.

At the end of the physical examination, a written exam was conducted. It tested their general knowledge and history of their particular form of karate.

Students of school age had to maintain a 2.0 or C average. They also had to return a form signed by their school teacher's and their parents. This form asked for their current grade point average and whether or not they were being good citizens. It is important at the Dragon Cloud Dojo that academic adequacy be maintained.

There were four students with a 4.0 GPA; one with a 3.9; one with a 3.8; two with 3.57. There were six honor roll students.

Students who failed to maintain a 2.0 have been released from their classes and sent home. They will not be allowed to begin training until their GPA has been brought back to a passing level, said Hernandez.

"We are training the whole person. It's not just about martial arts. If they can't maintain their school grades, then they need to concentrate on that, rather than doing karate," he said.

A grandmother in attendance said, "Every time they are tested, they seem to stand just a little bit straighter, hold their heads just a little bit higher. The young students are walking with so much more confidence in their steps."

Ages of the students at the Dragon Cloud Dojo run from 5 to 77.