SRKF Leadership

Saturday’s banquet was a great way to bring in the lunar new year. I hope everyone is able to take advantage of all the opportunities  the  Year of the Dragon affords.

The production of this year’s banquet was truly the result of teamwork. From the dedication of our dragon and lion dancers to the hard work of our I Ho Chuan team — teamwork created one of the best banquets we have ever produced.  Special recognition must go out to our masters of ceremony, Sihing Sharida Csillag and Sihing Kayley Burke, for keeping the program running smoothly and efficiently. I would also be remiss if I did not highlight the extraordinary work that Sihing Yitzik Csillag and Sihing Kevin Lindstrom did in preparing our Dragon Dance and Lion Dance teams. The banquet also marked the debut of Todai Malinda Ferris on the drum and performing their first ever lion dance, Todai Owen Johnstone and Todai Reed Kaufman.  Everyone’s effort and dedication created an amazing result.

There were many accolades for Silent River Kung Fu students who really shone in 2023. Sihing Sharida Csillag earned her 2nd degree black belt and Sihing Jackie Kohut and Todai Logan Smith were recognized as Black Belt of the Year and Student of the Year respectively.  Our Zhang Fei award recipients were Luka Tracy from the Lil Leopards, Vincent Verhey of the Tiny Tigers, Caleb Stewart of the Level 1 Young Dragons, and Kasidee Derkson of the Level 2 Young Dragons. Liu Bei award recipients were Chyler Jarrell of the Lil Leopards, Nora Johnson of the Tiny Tigers, Olivia Esch of the Level 1 Young Dragons, and Jaxon Skjerven of the Level 2 Young Dragons.  Michele Ward was recognized with the Kwan Kung award for the school’s best attendance record.

The highlight of the banquet was the promotions of Michele Ward and Jordan Carreau to the rank of black belt.  This promotion was the culmination of a year-long black belt test.  Along with their I Ho Chuan classmates, their  banquet presentations were exciting and inspiring.

There was an announcement on Saturday night that may have got lost in all of the excitement. With the unanimous support of the Silent River Kung Fu Master Instructors, Sifu Khona Rybak is officially the Chief Instructor of Silent River Kung Fu.  This expands her role from Program Director of the Young Dragon Program as she takes on the additional responsibilities of running the day to day of the school and, with the continued guidance and support from myself, Sifu Hayes, and Sifu Dennis —  Sifu Rybak will develop and enforce all promotion standards, including all ranks of Black Belt awarded by Silent River Kung Fu.

Jeff Brinker