Latino leaders bring martial arts program to community

“Go to your places, please. Remember, you will be judged on what you do as well as what you do not do.” With these words Edward Barcenas, volunteer Tae Kwan Do teacher, opened the first martial arts exam ever held at the Nuestra Voz Community Center, on Feb. 5. Seated with Barcenas at the judges table was his teacher, Daniel Cuthbertson of the Kenpo Karate School.

Barcenas, a black belt, is a wine filtration technician and has his own tax preparation business. He began to study martial arts over 20 years ago in his native Pátzcuaro. Last year he came to the realization of how few resources and opportunities are available for many Latino children. So he decided to teach not just his own sons, but to create a program for other children at the Nuestra Voz Center in Springs Village. His wife, Elvira Barbosa, a Nuestra Voz Board member, is also a student of martial arts, and teaches the beginners class in this new venture. Their sons, Ángel, 10 and Brian, 7, participate in the classes as students and assistants to their parents.
In the end, nine of the 14 candidates did earn a belt, including Barcenas’ sons, who earned their burgundy; and his wife, who now proudly wears the blue belt.

Barcenas noted in today’s world prizes and trophies are given too easily to children, with the result they lose their value. He says, “Life is not like that. No matter how much talent you have, unless you also have discipline, you won’t go anywhere.” Barcenas is sure the fact not all of his students moved to the next level is a good thing. “That way they will learn that they have to work harder.”

Among the candidates who did earn their white belt were two students whose commitment made them standout. One is Veronica Alcaraz, a fifth grader at Flowery School. She hopes to continue the program, and dreams of moving higher and higher toward the black belt. The other is Victor Santoyo, seventh grader at Sonoma Charter School. Santoyo remarked why he loves martial arts since it gives him energy, a chance to make new friends, and, above all, the discipline which he himself observed had been lacking.

Local families are very grateful for this program. Some got together recently to organize and sell tickets to a “kermés,” a supper of typical Mexican small plates, to raise money for uniforms for the children. One mother told The Sun she is especially grateful for this class offered by Nuestra Voz to the community. She explained that “the exercise is fabulous for the mind.” She said her younger daughter really has learned to focus, and this transfers to her school work. She continued, “Even though the school psychologist had recommended martial arts for my son, who has difficulty being attentive in school, I could not afford to send him until this opportunity opened up.”
Nuestra Voz director Gabriel Sánchez Navarro commented, “Elvira and Eduardo volunteer to offer this opportunity for children to become involved in a program which is part of a healthier lifestyle, and they do it with great caring and fellow-feeling.”

Anna Pier is director of Educational Programs for CommonBond Foundation and a contributor to The Sun.