Brother and Sister Keith and Sydney Crogan of Winslow both started training in Martial Arts at Huard's Ju-Jitsu Karate School in the first grade.  Both youngsters keep very busy between their studies, sports and training in the martial arts. Sydney and Keith both recently achieved higher ranking brown belts on May 19, 2006.  Sydney earned 3rd degree and Keith earned the next level down towards the black belt which is 2nd degree.

Keith Crogan 13:
-started karate grade 1  / 1999 / 6yo
-plays soccer
-basketball
-spring track
honor student
enjoys hiking, camping, falconry

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Sydney Crogan 12
-started karate grade 1 / 2000 / 6yo
-plays field hockey
spring track (qualified for state meet in the 400 meter)
Odyssey of the Mind (state finals 2nd place team)
honor student
Her Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Thomkins,  just recognized her as being the student with the "Best Attitude " in her  6th grade class

      When Keith was young, he wanted to be a Power Ranger!  His mother thought that he should be a Power Ranger with discipline! Karate lessons certainly gave him the boundaries for his wild karate chops and flying kicks!  But his mother had an ulterior motive. Keith had poor vision.  The muscles in the back of his eyes were weak.  This affected his visual memory and did have an impact on his school work.  When you are 6, first grade is your career ...and Keith struggled.

 This little guy did ocular motor exercises and participated in occupation therapy. He worked very hard - always. Karate lessons also supported his visual motor integration (turn left - punch, etc.)  Although these skills were very difficult for him, he felt accomplished for his efforts in the dojo every time he went to karate; the Sensei made sure of it.

I can remember picking him up from a Saturday morning class and hearing the Sensei tell the kids that "being a martial artist means that you are better than most.  It means that you will help out around the house without even being asked."  so that little boy came home and picked up all of the piles on the stairs (that are always intended to make it up to the children's bedrooms) and put his things away. He then put all of his sister's things away and cleaned her room as well.  She was thrilled, not only with the clean room, but also with the attention that she got from her big brother.  When she asked him why he cleaned her room, he told her it was because he "was better than most". (I have to agree:) 

Sydney then decided that she too wanted to participate in karate.  I was a bit nervous of the competitive nature of the two participating in the same sport, but it has never been a problem.  They have never used their karate on each other; in fact, until recently, it has been an individual interest for each of them.  Now that they are older and in the same dark belt class, they do practice at home and give each other pointers.  If only one of them comes home from a tournament with a trophy, they will still give congratulatory hugs and praise to each other.  I give credit to the dojo for this.  

The Sensei is always telling the students that as one of their classmates progresses in their training they may all take credit for their accomplishments because they have all supported that training and practiced together. 
Keith and Sydney are each honor students.