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Staff Writer

Thirty-two students from Villa Augustina School recently completed a five week mini-course in karate at the Mark J. Lawrence Martial Arts Academy in Goffstown. With the students are Villa teacher Shirley Langlois, senior instructor Matthew Pouliot, master instructor John Stewart, Villa teacher Jane Bergeron, Villa teacher Michelle Valiere, senior instructor Michael Stewart and Master Mark J. Lawrence. (Courtesy Photo)

Some Goffstown children have taken the first step toward becoming martial artists.

Thirty-two students from the Villa Augustina School, along with their teacher Michelle Valiere, recently completed a five-week karate mini-course at the Mark J. Lawrence Martial Arts Academy in Goffstown. The students were promoted to their next belt rank at a formal belt promotion ceremony that took place on Feb. 11.

Students attending the Villa Augustina mini-course program learned self-defense techniques, judo throws, environmental and safety awareness – all things that will help them to cope with everyday life.

Involving children in activities such as the martial arts during the formative years contributes to children’s physical, intellectual and social development, said Mark Lawrence, master of the academy. Through this type of activity, children learn commitment and self-discipline, and improve coordination and motor skills, all while developing a stronger and healthier body.

Children learn to develop respectful relationships with parents, teachers and peers, and learn to focus so they will do better in school, she said.

Children who participated were Ryan Lunderville, Mara Palmer, Nolan Roberts, Dana Pope, Sierra Walcott, James Gallagher, Sam Lewin, Ashley Therrien, Elaina Lavigne, Daniel Ruzcika, Savannah Walcott, Maria Turner, Matthew Gregoire, Ben Seifert, Tess Barbaro, Audrey Beaudoin, Michael Simons, Alex Lunderville, Sidney Elithorpe, Abby Mark, Jodi LeClerc, Graham Beaudoin, Kaylee Burbank, Jessica Langlois, Abigail Guerra, Ryan Murray, Heather Breault; Lea Rose LaPorte, Abby Gendron, Spivey McLane, Robert Wells and Allison Bouchard.