By Amy Modesti
Saturday afternoon, December 29 at the Stephentown Town Hall was a momentous turning point for the Stephentown Self Defense Systems as head Sensei, Bob Fish, presented his seven students their black belts. This ceremony was a milestone for the entire Bassallo family of Grafton as five members of the family received both their first degree and fifth degree black belts.
Alex Bassallo of Bassallo School of Martial Arts had been participating in karate with Fish for twenty years and serves as one of Fish’s trusted instructors. Bassallo, at the ceremony, received his fifth-degree black belt, along with a certificate of completion and recognition from four organizations; John Izzo’s Okinawan Karate Association, Stephentown Self Defense Systems, Green Island Academy of Martial Arts, and Bassallo School of Martial Arts.
Bassallo’s children, Daniel (age 19), Caroline (age 17), Dominque (age 15), and Eva (age 14) each received their first-degree black belts from Fish, along with their certificates of completion. Also being fitted for their black belts and receiving their certificates this day were Jess Court (receiving his 4th degree black belt) and William “Billy” Bissell (receiving his 1st degree black belt),
Each participant who completed the difficult challenge required to earn a black belt discussed their feelings about achieving the goal they have been working on since they have begun participating in karate. They also gave words of wisdom they had shared with their family, friends, peers, and mentors that had assisted and supported them in reaching their goal.
Alex Bassallo felt honored to be a part of this opportunity to receive his fifth-degree black belt and was proud of his children to be able to go through the journey with him. Bassallo admitted that he is “still on a journey” when it comes to developing who he is as a karate instructor, a father, and as a human being and through his strong belief in God and the support of his family and instructor.
Court admitted that he was honored to see Bassallo’s children, who through their journey have grown not only in stature, but also in developing their own personalities and becoming their own persons through the practice of karate. Court’s son, who is also serving in the military, assisted the children in their training before leaving to serve his country. He was proud of what the children had accomplished and that they did a great job.
Bissell dedicated his speech to his sensei, Bob Fish, who helped guide Bissell in his journey. In 1990, Bissell received his first black belt from a previous instructor and he wanted to also go to Fish’s school to further receive more training in karate. Bissell admitted that although it was a hard test to get the black belt, through compassion and the support of the other participants and Fish, he was able to achieve his goal.
Eva, the youngest Bassallo child to obtain her first-degree black belt, is the second youngest student in Fish’s school to obtain such a level of achievement. Eva was five years old when she started karate. There were moments that Eva didn’t want to attend her lessons, but her father had encouraged her to get into karate and eventually, she became an instructor at her father’s karate school. Eva thanked her father and Sensei Fish for their guidance.
“There are no limits, only plateaus,” according to Bruce Lee, esteemed actor and martial artist. Fish was inspired by Bruce Lee to partake in karate classes and wanted to be just like him. Fish is thankful to God for giving him the ability to obtain knowledge and be able to use the knowledge to teach karate to families and other patrons.
“We’re like a real family” according to Fish. Fish remains humble and blessed to be involved as a member of a karate family that he has continued to create and be a part of for so many years.