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Post by schlager7 on Nov 16, 2004 22:15:03 GMT -6
I figured this was as good a place to post it as any. Akhnaten SPencer-El is starting a fencing club in Houston, to be called The Young Elites of Houston. Hopefully we will have more details soon. Presumably, sabre will play a big part in the curriculum...
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Post by Pru Reardon on Nov 16, 2004 23:43:10 GMT -6
That's great! When you have more information please tell us. It's good if they focus mainly on Sabre, not many clubs do.
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Post by schlager7 on Nov 20, 2004 8:26:44 GMT -6
OOps! Marty advises me that the word "The" is not part of the title, simply, "Young Elites of Houston."
I posted a slightly abbreviated version of the press release on the rogue site. Here is the full text: Former U.S. Olympian Akhnaten (Akhi) Spencer-EL, has submitted an application for a new club in the Gulf Coast Texas Division, which the USFA expects to be approved by November 22nd. ‘Young Elites of Houston’ will be a non-profit foundation modeled after The Peter Westbrook Foundation in New York City. The club will target the economically disadvantaged youth of the third and fifth wards of Houston, where median yearly family income is $7600 per year. The foundation will provide equipment and training for its members use. As with The Peter Westbrook Foundation, Young Elites of Houston members will be required to maintain good grades in school and keep within strict behavioral guidelines. The club will require its members to utilize academic tutoring (via local college students) during the week, as well as attend public speaking classes. In an effort to develop the writing skills of its members, they will be required to complete monthly compositions in addition to their regularly assigned school work, the best of which will receive recognition awards. Members will have the advantage of participating in one on one mentoring with solid role models. Athletic conditioning and nutritional counseling will be provided as well with no cost to the participant. The club will meet after school during the week for academics and physical training, and fencing on Saturdays. A consortium of local fencers and business leaders, including some who have served on the Houston 2012 committee (the effort to get Houston the 2012 Olympic Games), have agreed to serve on the organizing board. The goal of the foundation is reflected in its motto: “Empowering minds and uplifting spirits of our youth through the sport of fencing”.
Akhi, former U.S. Olympic Saber Team Member, four time U.S. National Senior Saber Champion, #1 ranked World Junior Saber Fencer, and former coach and benefactor of The Peter Westbrook Foundation, will be the club’s head coach. Ms. Erica Wilder former counselor/mentor of The Peter Westbrook Foundation and former captain of the Temple University Fencing Team will serve as Director of Education and Assistant Coach. The plan is to begin training in all three weapons.
Currently the club has secured a meeting place in the third ward, and is investigating a second location in the fifth ward. The next several months will be dedicated to fund raising, ‘in kind’ donation of equipment, and creation of website and advertising resources. In the meantime Akhi is available for private lessons and training consultation. For further information, or to help, please feel free to contact Akhi at 281-770-6543.
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Post by Prudence on Nov 20, 2004 14:36:14 GMT -6
;D Wow! That's great what he's doing for those children in the 3rd and 5th ward. Someday I wish I could do something similar to that.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Pru Reardon
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Post by Committee Member on Nov 22, 2004 9:31:38 GMT -6
Dear Pru, are you in the Houston Area? If you would like to do a similar thing we have learned quite a lot that could transfer anywhere. Call if you are interested.
713 870 3346 Young Elites Organizing Committee Member
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Post by saberbobcat on Nov 27, 2004 15:06:34 GMT -6
Even though I am a few blocks away from your division, I welcome Akhi Spencer-EL and hope that his endeavors are very successful. I eagerly anticipate that his presence will really make a real difference for sabre fencing here. Good luck, Akhi!
Regards, Grace Haberzettle Coastal Bend Fencing Society
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Post by schlager7 on Jun 20, 2005 11:28:33 GMT -6
I received the following in an email from Erica. Given how it is addressed, I am reproducing it here:
To the members of the Gulf Coast Division, Thank you for your support of our endeavors over the past several months. It is because of individuals like yourself that coaches and athletes are able to serve the children of the Houston area. We are writing this letter to inform you that due to changes in our personal vision and direction, we are no longer affiliated with Young Elites of Houston. We are, however, continuing our commitment to working with Houston-area youth to broaden the exposure of Fencing to all young people. Should you need to contact us for any reason, feel free to do so at the email address listed above. Thank you again for your support of our efforts. Sincerely, Akhnaten Spencer-EL Executive Director Erica Wilder Director of Education
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Post by mj wysocki on Jun 20, 2005 13:34:54 GMT -6
The board members of Young Elites of Houston were surprised by the resignation letters we received this weekend from both Aki and Erica, they contained no detailed explanation. We are grateful for their work here in Houston. We sincerely wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Please be assured that the foundation work will continue and we are already in discussion with a replacement coach. Additionally we are excited to announce that we are almost sure that we will add a third location to work with underprivileged kids, this one will primarily serve a Hispanic neighborhood in association with a Catholic school. Although I cannot speak for the board, if you have any questions please feel free to call me at 713 870 3346.
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Post by DavidSierra on Jun 20, 2005 21:37:52 GMT -6
Huh?
What the....?
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Post by Giorgio Bassa on Jun 21, 2005 9:37:00 GMT -6
I like to take the opportunity to thank both Akhi and Erica for what they did and hopefully will continue to do for fencing in Houston. I wish you all the best to be successful in your dedication to the sport. Your success will be for the good of young people and saber fencers in our city. I also wish all the best to Young Elites and the tremendous job and efforts by Marty and the other board members. Keep on the good work! Houston can and should have many more clubs and fencing venues focusing on all aspects of this sport.
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Post by Tim Guerinot on Jun 22, 2005 15:16:49 GMT -6
I have a quick question for everyone.
What do you guys think about a coach who doesn't....
-fails to give you the amount of lessons a month you paid for in advance.
-doesn't refund you for the lessons you didn't receive
-tries to gang up on you and say you didn't pay for all your lessons. (Especially in the month of december)
-when you get a lesson it's under 10 minutes
-cancels at least 4 times a month
-always asks to borrow money 20 dollars here or 20 dollars there but never repays the debt. Is that really borrowing money or theft. Better yet everytime you're at a restaraunt orders the most expensive thing on the menu along with several drinks and never offers to pick up the tab. (For example, you're at a Taqueria and everyone orders Ice tea and the fictitious individual orders three or four margaritas for themself and their date and an extra bit of food during their dining experience)
-Always says they left their wallet at home
-tells a parent they're going to coach their kid at a tournament but goes and fences themself and neglects to coach their student
-when asked by their employer about the situation they lie and say the parent sent them up there to fence
-asked for an additional 5 dollars for their bill that was rightfully owed. When tested they were supplied with the five dollars plus an additional 5 dollars to see if they would pay it back. They didn't.
Just thought I'd get everyone's opinion of such a VERY fictitious person. What would your opinion or actions be towards such a FICTITIOUS individual.
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Post by Geezer on Jun 22, 2005 15:33:32 GMT -6
Ha! Such a couch would not last the afternoon in my Salon!
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Post by been there on Jun 25, 2005 16:53:37 GMT -6
Tim, I would say that's the kind of coach you are best staying away from, is of low character and should not be around youth, somebody you cannot trust and sooner or later will hurt your club...a looser. Perhaps a lazy individual, a parasite type, a user, who would suck off those supporting him and would eventually leave the club and move on to the next host. Fencing has some of these types around. Buyer beware.
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Post by monitorlizerd on Jul 2, 2005 14:24:49 GMT -6
Tim... Now you know why I wasn't too very upset when said fictional character bailed on the person who spent all the $$ to get him here in the first place??
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Post by A Didas on Jul 5, 2005 10:39:17 GMT -6
And what's this I hear about getting parents to pay for top quality fencing shoes because a coach "needed new shoes for nationals", then after getting them announcing that the coach decided not to go to nationals.
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Post by My Adidas on Jul 11, 2005 12:29:40 GMT -6
What coach has parents pay for their fencing shoes to fence and then not fence. Did the parents save the receipt so they could return the shoes or did the fencing coach say, "SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE SHOES!!!!!"
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nemo
Blademaster
mobilis in mobili
Posts: 729
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Post by nemo on Dec 20, 2005 9:39:04 GMT -6
My question is, what has become of this group? I know Akhi's no longer affiliated with them, but does the group continue?
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Post by kd5mdk on Dec 22, 2005 0:56:16 GMT -6
Mr. Wysocki's post on the previous page made it sound like they intended to, although I don't know anything myself.
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