Many people choose to do some type of sport during their high school years, whether it’s because they find it interesting or fun, or because they want to make a career out of it. Manchester School of Technology, a small school with not as many clubs offered as bigger high schools, recently started a Martial Arts Club in the spring of 2023. I, myself, was able to be a part of this club for my junior and now senior year of high school, and it has been incredibly fun and fulfilling. This club is more than just learning self-defense and is open to both staff, teachers, and students.
Ms. Passamonte is a teacher from MST and is currently a white belt. She used to teach a crochet club here, but when she heard about the martial arts club, she decided to participate in that instead and sees herself continuing to be in this club in the future. She mentions in the interview, “I’m having lots of fun here. I like being able to be active with my co-workers and just build a community.” Ms. Passamonte recommends others at MST to partake in this club, as it offers an engaging opportunity for you to get to know your classmates, students, and peers. She states that, “It helps you build confidence in yourself and in how you kind of carry yourself”.
Marion-Maria Haff, a senior at MST and someone who had previously done Jiu Jitsu earlier in her high school years but had to leave it due to cost; but, when she heard about MST’s Martial Arts Club starting up, she knew she wanted to join it and it was free, no charges to join or partake in. Marion is loving it so far and the different things they get to learn, her favorite one being sword fighting which they just recently started getting into. Even though she is a senior, she is definitely interested in continuing this type of art in the future and recommends others to try it. She describes this environment and community as, “It’s really fun, like we learn a lot and it’s definitely serious. But, I think everyone here is also like, they really respect each other and care about each other”/
Mr. Roop, another teacher here at MST, has done past training as he has a black belt in Ishida Karate, a yellow belt in Jiu Jitsu, and has done some Filipino Martial Arts. He joined MST’s Martial Arts Club, to get back into the art and he mentions, “It’s good for the soul. It’s good for the body and the soul”. This club has offered him time for a good workout, learning new techniques, and interacting with good people. All of which, he is enjoying immensely. Mr. Roop sees himself coming back next year to be a part of this community. This club is open to anyone at this high school, no matter what experience you have had, everyone will have an opportunity to learn.
From students to teachers, even to our school’s administration participate. Kathleen Blanchette is an Administration Assistant here who is a white belt in MST’s Martial Arts Club. She chose to join because she finds it “physically and mentally challenging”. This club and community excite her to be a part of and she is enjoying this learning opportunity thoroughly. Although she has no goal of reaching a black belt, she will continue coming back to participate and learn. Even though this is her first time in this kind of environment and club, she mentions, “The atmosphere is fully perfect for what we are learning and I have to say that Mr. Puglisi is an excellent teacher.”
Finally, the instructor of this program and the Assistant Principal of MST, Mr. Puglisi. He is a sixth-degree black belt in Hapkido and fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo. He began studying his journey in Martial Arts in 1984, studying at Springfield College. He earned his first degree black belt in 1989 while he visited the founder of Hapkido Choi Yong Sool, Hapkido School in Daegu Korea. Then he used his knowledge and experience to open a Hapkido School here in Manchester, NH in 1992. But, 26 years later, in 2018, he had to close it down and soon became our school’s Assistant Principal. “I love sharing the knowledge of Martial Art. I think it is something unique and provides an opportunity to the students at MST”, he states as his reasoning for opening this club here. Mr. Pugisi hopes to continue the club and even wants to expand it to the other high schools in Manchester, creating a broader community and opportunity for tournaments and competitions.
This club has offered many people at my school an experience, a community, and a chance to learn. Mr. Pugilisi shares, “To participate in Martial Arts isn’t just for young people and it becomes a lifelong sport or lifestyle that you can do well into your older years”. This club is more than just learning self-defense and is open to both staff, teachers, and students.
