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[blackbeltsutf]

Will Lustgraaf

2nd Degree Black Belt

Mr. Lustgraaf started training in March 2000 under Ray Luongo at Mendota Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin. In November 2004 Mr. Lustgraaf became the first UTF Madison student to attain the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt. He then spent two and a half years teaching under guidance of UTF Madison founders, Mr. Luongo and Carolyne Haycraft. In 2010 Mr. Lustgraaf was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt. 

In late 2006 Mr. Lustgraaf became the Program Leader (With assistance of close junior belts and parents) of UTF Madison, where he continued to teach at multiple locations until December 2014.

Since 2004 Mr. Lustgraaf has had the opportunity to train under Masters Langlas, Irvin, and Helman. As well as instructors, Augenlicht and Copeland. Along with training with many others. Mr. Lustgraaf frequents the Pathways Dojang in Chicago, from time to time.

Mr. Lustgraaf holds an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology and currently works full time as a Store Manager for a national quick lube chain, in Madison. In his down time Mr. Lustgraaf likes to enjoy the company of family and friends as well as playing multiple musical instruments.

[blackbeltsutf]

Jorge Farelas

I received my first degree black belt in the UTF in May of 2002 under Master James Langlas.  I have been teaching from 2002 to present day but only on a weekly basis since 2009.  Aside from Tae kwon-do I have also studied Krav Maga, Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Kenpo Karate, Yoshitaka Karate, Shoalin Longfist Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and kick boxing,  I also have learned various weapons such as bo staff, nunchukus, tonfas, escrima sticks, and bokken. 

[blackbeltsutf]

Dr. John Christensen

Began training 1999  1st Dan 2003 2nd Dan 2007  3rd Dan 2013 

Dr C began training in 1999 along with his son Ken (who was eight at the time) under Dr Langlas at Langlas Tae Kwon Do in Wheaton, which eventually became PathwaysTKD after Dr Langlas retired - see www.pathwaystkd.com.(Ken received his 1st degree at age 13 and is now a mechanical engineer and not actively training).

Dr C also serves as a board member and president of Pathways for Achievement, a not-for-profit formed by Dr Langlas in 1996 to provide the benefits of TKD training to at-risk youth at no or reduced cost. Many UTF Black Belts donate considerable time and talent to the Pathways not-for-profit concept: Master Helman, Ms Vimont, Mr Copeland, Mr Dang, Mr Ernsteen, Mr Spiegal, Mr Carr, Mr Khan, Mr Arnold, Mr Davis, Mr and Mrs Fareles, Mr Paoletti, and probably several others overlooked in this list.

Dr Christensen is a Urologist with Illinois Urological Institute SC where he is the founder and president. Dr C and his wife Sue enjoy numerous outdoor activities and adventures. They have 3 kids who have all left the nest!

[blackbeltsutf]

Quick Question on Respect

You may have noticed we are beginning to post profiles of black belts in the UTF. Since I am posting them as blog entries, the most recent entries show up at the top of the page. This in no way corresponds to rank, but people might read it that way if they are unfamiliar with blogs. I think eventually people will get used to it, especially if they are seeing entries about people who just got their 1st degree at the top, but I would like to solicit ideas on the most respectful way to display all the profiles. Please use the “Submit” function if you have any opinions or ideas that you would like me to hear. In the absence of any feedback, I will stay the course in what I consider the most respectful way. I hope that my pure intentions will earn me forgiveness where I need it. 

Thank you so much,

Bryan Koch

[blackbeltsutf]

Ray Copeland

Trained in the UTF with Master James Langlas 1994 – 2007.

Coordinated the UTF TKD program at Lucent Technologies 1996 - 2008.

Taught the Childrens after school class at Langlas TKD in 1996.

Planned and Coordinated two annual TKD Demos at ALU 1996 - 2008.

Pathways for Achievement board member since 1998.

Promoted to 1st Dan in 1996.

Promoted to 2nd Dan in 1998.

Promoted to 3rd Dan in 2002.

Promoted to 4th Dan in 2010

[blackbeltsutf]

Carolyne Haycraft, M.Ed, MFA

Program Leader, II Degree Black Belt

Carolyne is currently the Director of GirlStrength, a city wide violence prevention program operated through the Portland Police Bureau. She is a licensed teacher with over twenty years of teaching experience in theatre, martial arts and violence prevention. She holds two 2nd Degree Black Belts; one with the UTF and the other with Shotokan Karate of America.

Prior to moving to Portland, she was the Director of University Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County; and a cofounder of the Universal Taekwon-Do Federation in Madison, Wisconsin, an organization dedicated to bringing martial arts to children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Also, she was a drama instructor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Continuing Education and Outreach Program and Children’s Theatre of Madison.

Carolyne serves on the Equity Leadership Council of the Portland Police Bureau and is a member of the Prevention and Education Committee for the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force. Most recently she co-founded a violence prevention program for middle school boys that focuses on emotional literacy, self-care and mindfulness.

[blackbeltsutf]

Ray Luongo M. Ed.

III Degree Black Belt, Associate Instructor

Mr. Luongo was a professional chef until he discovered the art of Taekwon-Do and teaching it to young people. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, he moved to the Midwest in 1994 to study the art of French cuisine in Wheeling, IL, but consequently began studying the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do with Grandmaster Han, Cha Kyo, his first instructor. This encounter changed his life dramatically. Mr. Luongo started teaching children when he received his First Degree Black Belt in 1998 in Chicago, IL. He earned his Second Degree in May of 2003 in Madison, WI, after founding UTF Madison, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit satellite of our organization that thrived for years in community centers, school gymnasiums and church basements. Some of those students, now adult Black Belts, are now teaching at their own schools. Mr. Luongo was promoted to Third Degree in 2012. He lives in Portland, where he acquired his Masters of Education and certification in Elementary/ Middle School Education from Concordia University. He is presently teaching for Portland Public Schools and teaches Taekwondo at several locations in Portland through SUN Community Schools, Saturday Academy and Concordia University.

[blackbeltsutf]

Bryan Koch

Bryan Koch comes from Winfield, Illinois, where he earned his first degree black belt under Master James Langlas in 1998. After moving away, he earned another black belt in another form of tkd, and studied Judo and Ju Jitsu. From tkd to school tutoring, Bryan has been teaching in some capacity for most of his life. He loves to watch people achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations. He is married with one son and lives happily in Beaverton. Bryan “works” as a designer of board games, and makes his own cheese for fun.

[blackbeltsutf]

Scott Ernsteen

Scott Ernsteen. Associate Instructor, III Dan. Scott works at Wintrust Financial Corporation in Rosemont Illinois where he is SVP FInancial Systems and Data Management and is Treasurer of Pathways Taekwondo. He has trained in Taekwondo for over 25 years 

[blackbeltsutf]

Calling all UTF Black Belts!

Hello, my name is Bryan Koch. I am the new webmaster for UTFKids.com, and I would like your help with adding some important information to the website: information about you! I am trying to get in touch with as many UTF black belts as possible so that I can get a short blurb and perhaps a photo of everyone. Would you please take a moment to write a short blurb about yourself and submit it at UTFKids.com/BBProfile ? (You can also email the blurb and photo to me and I will post it for you.) Please feel free to pass this email on to any other UTF black belts you know. It has been a great honor to train with many of you on this email list, and I look forward to learning more about those of you I have never gotten to meet. Humbly, Bryan Koch (1st Dan)