On November 11, 2023 as part of the Martial Summit, whistleKick held the second annual Never Settle Awards banquet. Bringing martial arts students, school owners, friends, and family together to celebrate. The Never Settle Awards are celebratory of the things we believe here at Martial Journal. Everyone would benefit from six months of traditional martial arts. Do what you can, with what you have, where you’re at. We are better, and can do more, when we work together. We all have something to teach and many things to learn. Each Never Settle Award represents a part of what it means to be a Martial Artist. We are proud to announce the recipients of the awards this year are:
EMISSARY OF THE ARTS
Highlighting those who have contributed to the arts and the community as well, making the world a better place. Ideal nominees would demonstrate the positive qualities of martial arts and martial artists in ways not directly tied to martial arts. Many martial arts schools use positive character traits as a benefit to be grown from continued training. These nominees demonstrate these qualities routinely beyond the walls of their schools such that people know the nominee based on actions and deeds, not on martial arts rank, ability, or martial arts notoriety.
Lisa Vare – Recipient
Lisa Vare makes the world a better place every day as she greets her karate community with a smile and kind, supportive words. She has frequently helped a student through a tough time, always keeping her door open and always having kind and encouraging words. From white belts to black belts, Mrs. V works tirelessly to make each and every person who walks into her dojo feel supported and valued by getting to know them, being patient, and helping them set personal goals regardless of age or physical ability. She also provides opportunities for her students to give back to their community by linking them with volunteer programs at local farms and town festivals.
Abbey Hoye – Finalist
Kellie Thomas – Finalist
FLASHLIGHT AWARD NOMINEES
People who make a difference in the arts – no matter rank. While quietly making an impact in their community, they demonstrate that actions speak louder than words in the most positive of ways. A nomination for this award represents that the nominee’s actions were noticed, were appreciated, and are worthy of recognition beyond a simple “Thank You.” This is the person who needs to be nominated because they would never nominate themselves.
Brian Codding – Recipient
Brian Codding has had an immense impact on my journey as a martial artist. His patience, kindness, and good humor have not only put me at ease when I am struggling, but he has always made me feel as if I am a valued member of the community and that I am capable of achieving my goals, even when I do not have much confidence in myself.
Brian is also involved in a family program that brings parents and children together through Martial Arts. Through these classes, we parents get to train with our kids and not only work on our skills but more importantly work with our kids and share in the marital arts together. It was his confidence in me, and the time that he took to teach me, that made me seriously start to think that weapons and Kali were an aspect of karate that I could move forward with. I have had so much fun working with my kids, and it opened the door for us to spend some quality time together that we otherwise would not have. It has been an amazing experience for which I am very grateful.
Nick Taber – Finalist
Lisa Vare – Finalist
OPEN DOOR AWARD NOMINEES
This person operates a school that has created a culture where students would refer to it as home, family. Everyone is welcome and wants to be there – with each other, even though they are all different. These schools make everyone feel welcome, regardless of what they bring to the table. Past training or not, all ages, physical capacity, and more. These schools accept everyone, and make sure that their first few months is only the beginning of the journey.
Matt Erolin – Recipient
Matt Erolin has truly built a culture of family, unity, and trust within the Dojo family with his effective communication and open heart. From the moment we got in contact with him, he has gone above and beyond to make us feel welcomed, included, and seen. Matt makes you feel like family the moment you speak with him. You can never get enough of his generosity. At the end of the day, closing the school takes a while as everyone comes to the dojo and does homework together or just hangs out on the couches and catches up with everyone. No one is ever excluded from anything, and everyone loves to support one another.
I come from a background of multiple disciplines as well as training in multiple disciplines at the same time currently. Matt welcomed me whole-heartedly into the family. He not only accepted me but encouraged me to continue adding my other disciplines into my fighting style.
He has helped me become a better me, and my fellow brothers and sisters at the dojo have also welcomed me. When I met everyone in person for the first time after training online for over a year with they came to me immediately and were so excited to meet in person. He has impacted our family in a positive and powerful way with his respect towards our daughters and love for martial arts. His continual support of encouragement and being an example not just in word, but action, has produced a level of trust within our families.
Matt has shown the community how big his heart is by doing donation drives to help others, he preaches at his local church, provides training to the community and still shows the community that he has time to be an amazing father and husband at the same time. The positive impact Matt has had on his students and families is something that will be carried out through many generations.
Jesse Dwire – Finalist
Zelda Gay – Finalist
Paul Milhollen – Finalist
Brad Shipp – Finalist
ENDURING FOOTPRINT AWARD NOMINEES
Ideal nominees would stand out for their lasting impact on the martial arts community across a significant period of time. While the extent of the impact may be a result of direct, in person interactions, impact resulting through social media and other internet activity is also worthy of consideration. Martial artists would not only say that they know who the nominee is but will also be able to discuss how the nominee influenced their training in some way.
Dan Valin
Dan Valin is the epitome of life-long martial artist. He has served his community for a lifetime and constantly strives for the continuation of his art. Through his students and his teachings, he exemplifies the spirit of the martial artist as a whole. He is an amazing human being that accredits his life success to his martial arts career. It is clear that Dan eats, sleeps and breathes the martial arts and breathes this life into his students.
Dan participated with his student in a small forms competition that I hosted in one of my previous studios. Even though I was very young, inexperienced, and very much competition (our schools were located very closely), he brought students to perform, he judged and did so in the true spirit of the betterment of the art. From there, I began running my own program a couple towns away and had also lost my own teacher. I asked if he would become my instructor and also an instructor at my school. He did not hesitate to help me and continues to teach our teachers and our students. Dan has been a staple in his community for more years that I can even count. Everyone in his area (and beyond) knows him!! He has stood the test of time and continues to develop his legacy.
Yong Duk Choi – Finalist
Kellie Thomas – Finalist
The 2023 Never Settle Awards Committee were: Elizabeth Campese, Tommy Given, StaciAnne Grove, Chris Rickard, and Craig Wharem. We appreciate all your nominations and votes this past year and look forward to learning about more martial artists making a difference in 2024. Until then, watch for profiles of the nominees and recipients right here at Martial Journal where we are advancing the martial arts one word at a time.
- Second Annual Never Settle Award Recipients Announced - November 14, 2023
- Cast Your Vote in the Never Settle Awards! - September 11, 2023
- Footprint Award – 2022 Never Settle Awards - August 16, 2023
This is a 5 star group of people. Thank you for sharing. It’s such an honor to be a part of this project.