Ocasio’s TMA Haverhill

From Little Dragon to 2nd Degree Black Belt. 🥋

Tonight, Adele Lasonde achieved an incredible milestone by earning her 2nd Degree Black Belt.

This video is a reminder of just how far she has come. From her early days in our Little Dragons program to the leader she is today, Adele has grown through every stage of her martial arts journey with determination, perseverance, and a Yes I Can attitude.

Adele is the kind of student every instructor hopes to have. She works hard, sets a great example for younger students, and is always willing to give back to the dojo as a Kohai. Whether she’s helping others in class, volunteering her time, or representing our school at tournaments, she does it with humility and dedication.

We are so proud of the young woman she has become and all that she has accomplished both on and off the mat. Watching her journey unfold over the years has been a privilege, and we know this is only the beginning of many more great things to come.

Congratulations, Adele. Your dojo family is so proud of you, and we cannot wait to see where your black belt journey takes you next. ❤️

In just a few short hours, Mia will be receiving her 1st Degree Black Belt!

Mia is one of those students who always brings a positive attitude to class. She is kind, respectful, hardworking, and always ready to give her best effort. No matter what challenge is put in front of her, she shows up with a smile and a willingness to learn.

Over the years, we have watched Mia grow not only as a martial artist but as a young leader. She has earned this accomplishment through her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to the Black Belt journey.

A Black Belt is so much more than a rank. It represents years of hard work, countless hours of training, and the decision to never give up. Mia has embodied our Yes I Can spirit every step of the way.

We are so proud of everything she has accomplished and cannot wait to celebrate this special milestone with her today. Congratulations, Mia! Your hard work has paid off, and we are excited to see all the amazing things you will continue to achieve as a Black Belt.

From Little Dragons to Junior Black Belts!

Today, Matthew and Emily will take the stage to receive their Junior Black Belts, and we could not be more proud.

Both of these students started their journey with us as Little Dragons and have spent years working toward this moment. Through hard work, perseverance, discipline, and a Yes I Can attitude, they have continued to grow both on and off the mat.

Looking through these photos brings back so many memories and serves as a reminder of just how far they have come. The young students who first walked into our dojo have grown into strong, confident leaders who have earned this incredible accomplishment.

Matthew and Emily, thank you for trusting the process, pushing through challenges, and never giving up on your goals. We are so proud of everything you have achieved and are excited to continue watching you grow and accomplish even more in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Matthew and Emily! Your journey is just beginning. ❤️

When Leo first started training with us, he began with one-on-one lessons with Sensei before eventually joining our phase group classes. From the very beginning, he showed us that he was capable of great things, and it has been incredible to watch his growth over the years.

Leo has come so far in our program. He has developed stronger discipline, better focus, improved social skills, and a greater ability to accept feedback and apply corrections. The growth we’ve seen in him both on and off the mat has been truly amazing.

This Saturday at the Whittier Vo-Tech Auditorium, Leo will earn his Junior Black Belt. This achievement represents years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment, and we could not be more proud of him.

A special thank you to Leo’s mom and dad for trusting us, believing in the process, and having the patience to help Leo reach this milestone. Their support has played a huge role in his success, and we are so grateful to have their family as part of our dojo.

Leo, we are incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished and so excited to see what the future holds for you as a Junior Black Belt. Your journey is proof that with hard work, consistency, and a “Yes I Can” attitude, anything is possible. 🖤🥋

At Ocasio’s, we always teach our students to have a “Yes I Can” attitude.

Jill is the perfect example of what that looks like.

She first joined because her children were training and she didn’t want to just watch from the sidelines. She wanted to be part of the journey. What started as supporting Ellie and Noah became her own martial arts story, and our dojo has been better because of it ever since.

Jill is always willing to help, encourage others, and step up whenever needed. She has become such an important part of our dojo family and someone we can always count on.

One of the greatest gifts she has given her children is leading by example. Instead of simply telling them they can do hard things, she has shown them. Through every challenge, every class, and every test, Ellie and Noah have had the opportunity to watch their mom work hard, stay committed, and never give up on her goals.

One of the sweetest parts of Jill’s journey has been seeing how loved and supported she is by her family. Whether it’s Ellie and Noah cheering her on or Matt showing up to encourage her every step of the way, it’s a beautiful reminder that big goals are often achieved with the support of the people who believe in us most.

We are incredibly proud of Jill for passing her Recommended Black Belt Test. This achievement represents years of dedication, perseverance, and a true “Yes I Can” mindset.

Congratulations, Jill! Thank you for everything you bring to our dojo family. We are so proud to celebrate this milestone with you. 🖤🥋💛

Sammy started training with us when he was just 3½ years old in our Little Dragon program. Today, at 9 years old, he has officially passed his Junior Black Belt Test.

When Sammy first came to us, he was a shy little boy who needed help building confidence and believing in himself. Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching him grow into a strong, confident, respectful, and hardworking young man. His journey has not always been easy, but he has continued to show up, work hard, and trust the process.

One of the things I love most about Sammy’s story is that it shows what can happen when a child is given time to grow. Confidence is not built overnight. It takes consistency, perseverance, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone again and again. Sammy has done exactly that.

Watching these clips and hearing Mom talk about his growth over the years is such a special reminder of why we do what we do. We are so incredibly proud of the young man he has become and honored to have been a part of his journey.

Only 5 more days until our Black Belt Show! Come out and support Sammy and all of our amazing students as they celebrate the hard work, dedication, and growth that brought them to this moment. We cannot wait to cheer them on. 🖤🥋

From Little Dragon to 3rd Degree Black Belt.

This Saturday, June 6, we will proudly present Lyla Matheson with her 3rd Degree Black Belt at our Annual Black Belt Show.

Watching this transformation video is a reminder that success is not built in a day. It is built through years of hard work, perseverance, dedication, and the courage to keep showing up even when things get difficult.

Lyla first stepped onto our mats as a Little Dragon over 11 years ago. Since then, she has grown not only as a martial artist, but as a leader, role model, and an incredible young woman. Through every challenge, every test, every victory, and every setback, she continued to move forward.

A black belt is never about perfection. It is about commitment. Lyla has embodied that commitment for more than a decade, earning every stripe, every rank, and now her 3rd Degree Black Belt.

We could not be more proud of the person she has become and the example she sets for the students who look up to her every day.

Congratulations, Lyla. Your journey is proof that with patience, consistency, and determination, amazing things are possible.

We cannot wait to celebrate this incredible achievement with you on Saturday. 🥋

A huge thank you to all of the moms who joined us for Glow Kickboxing tonight! 💜

Making time for yourself isn’t always easy, and trying something new can be intimidating. We’re so proud of each of you for showing up, working hard, and having fun.

Thank you for spending your evening with us. You made the class an absolute blast!