Instructors

     Throughout your training program, you will be introduced to the many facets of the martial arts world.  Our instructors have been chosen for their knowledge, performance and ability to communicate effectively.  They are constantly updated on the newest trends, current training methods and activities in the martial arts and are willing to assist you in all areas of your training. Our facility offers both male and female instructors who have the necessary experience to accommodate a wide variety of needs.  Whether your interest is in self-defense, personal fitness or competition on an international level, our staff can help you attain your goals through an individualized program designed especially for you.

Kathy J. Owen – 8th Degree Black Belt

     Kathy J. Owen began her Martial Arts training in 1977 while a student at the University of Delaware.  She trained in several Martial Arts styles including Aikido, Judo, Bushidokan, Filipino Arnis, Shotokan and a variety of styles of Kenpo.  Ms. Owen received her 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo in 1983.  Ms. Owen currently holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo and has earned the title of Associate Master of the Arts.

     Since 1988, Ms. Owen has owned and operated Newark Kenpo Karate in Newark, Delaware, a Martial Arts studio with over 300 active students.  Her students range in age from 3 years old through adults into their 60’s.  One unique aspect of her school is her long-term commitment and success working with mentally and physically challenged children and adults.

     Ms. Owen has successfully competed in many tournaments, including National and International level competitions.  She currently has numerous junior and senior students successfully competing at these same levels of competition.  She also directs a 20 member Internationally Recognized Demonstration Team that has performed in numerous places including California, Las Vegas, Dublin, Ireland and the island of Jersey in the United Kingdom.  In 2003, the Team was chosen to perform a demonstration at the First Union Center in Philadelphia for Michael Jordan’s final basketball game in front of over 20,000 people.  Last year the Team performed in the Opening Ceremonies of the International Karate Championships in England.  Her students are well-known world wide for their creative, dynamic choreography as well as their explosive speed and power.

     In addition to teaching at Newark Kenpo Karate 6 days a week, Ms. Owen also conducts “Street Smarts” Self-Defense workshops for area corporations, local businesses and community groups, including:  DuPont, University of Delaware, St. Francis Medical Center, Delmarva Power, Winterthur Museum, I.C.I. Americas and the Jewish Community Center.  These classes are tailored to develop a logical, practical & common sense approach to self defense for the average person.

     Ms. Owen also teaches Kenpo Karate seminars both nationally and internationally, including at the prestigious International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California, in Dublin, Ireland and on the island of Jersey as a special guest instructor for AKKI affiliated schools, and she is a regular presenter at the AKKI International Training Camps held in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also a certified Personal Fitness Trainer and often assists her students in developing multidimensional fitness programs.

     Ms. Owen serves as the AKKI’s Eastern Regional Representative and is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Kenpo Karate International Association.  She hosts their annual AKKI Eastern Regional Training Camps.  She holds degrees in Sociology, Anthropology and Education and is a former public school teacher.

Marlene S. Shear – 7th Degree Black Belt

     Marlene S. Shear began her Kenpo training in 1982 in Baltimore, Maryland.  She received her 1st Degree Black Belt in 1989 with Sr. Grandmaster Ed Parker as Chief Examiner.  Since that time Ms. Shear has continued her Kenpo training, traveling extensively and attending numerous seminars.  She currently holds the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt and is recognized as a Senior Professor in the Art of Kenpo.  In addition to training in Kenpo, Ms. Shear has also trained in Tai Chi and Yoga.

     Ms. Shear has an extensive background in the area of Fine Arts.  An artist all her life, she attended both Catonsville Community College and the Maryland Institute College of Art.  Her work has been exhibited throughout Maryland, including at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

     Blending her art background with the Martial Arts has given her great insights in refining movement and in developing choreography.  She has written many creative empty hand and weapons forms and self defense routines over the years which have allowed several of her students to compete and place in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the country.

     Because of her creative teaching style, Ms. Shear has had the pleasure of working with many physically and mentally challenged adults and children, tailoring the curriculum to assist them in achieving their goals through the art of Kenpo.

Currently, Ms. Shear co-owns and acts as Senior Instructor at Newark Kenpo Karate, teaching both children and adults 4 days a week.  She also serves as the AKKI’s East Coast Regional Representative and is on the Board of Directors for the American Kenpo Karate International Association.

Julio da Ponte – 4th Degree Black Belt

     Julio da Ponte began his training in the Martial Arts in 1980, at the age of 11, after watching a Bruce Lee movie.  He began his training in Chinese Kenpo, training for approximately 3 years and achieving the rank of Green Belt.  Interestingly, one of his instructors at that time was a Brown Belt by the name of Kathy Owen.

     After pursuing other interests during his high school and college years, in 1991 his interest in the Martial Arts peaked again after a serious motorcycle accident left him in need of physical therapy.  At this time he trained in the traditional style of Shorin-Ryu.  After training there for about 1 year, he realized his interests were still with the art of Kenpo.  Shortly thereafter, he located Newark Kenpo Karate and his old instructor, Ms. Owen.

     "I find the AKKI system of American Kenpo to be the most complete system of self-defense anywhere.  Kenpo is an explosive, deadly and yet beautiful system of self-defense, which is the primary reason I chose Kenpo in the first place.  I think it was Ed Parker who stated, ' Kenpo is for the person who has everything, and wants to protect it'.

I particularly enjoy the unique timing and ballistic hitting which Mr. Paul Mills has integrated into the new AKKI techniques and forms. These incorporate movements within the anatomically correct D1 D2 flexion and extension patterns. This optimizes results while minimizing damage to one's own body, which can occur through moving 'against the grain' over time."

     Mr. da Ponte has been teaching at NKK since 1996 and currently teaches the Teen and Adult classes on Monday nights. He lives in Middletown with his wife and 4 daughters and works full time as a Vice President for his family business, Industrial Valves and Fittings, Inc.

Carl Hewlett – 3rd Degree Black Belt

     Carl Hewlett began training at Newark Kenpo Karate in 1987 at the age of 14.  Consequently, he is one of the original students of Newark Kenpo Karate, having trained

continuously under Kathy Owen for over 20 years.  Currently ranked as a 3rd Degree Black Belt, Mr. Hewlett is considered the unofficial Historian of NKK.  An extremely

loyal and dedicated student and friend, Mr. Hewlett has seen NKK grow from a small Karate Club in its initial location in the Newark Shopping Center to its present site

occupying 4,000 sq. ft. in Peoples Plaza.

     Mr. Hewlett has actively participated in many local and regional tournaments as both a competitor and as a judge.  His many achievements include being awarded

"Outstanding Competitor" for the 1994 Delaware Valley State Championships.  He also traveled to Long Beach, CA to compete in the International Karate Championships

and was a member of the NKK National Demo Team that performed there.  He continues to travel throughout the United States now mostly to attend seminars to further his knowledge of Kenpo, attending many of the AKKI Las Vegas Training Camps and the International Karate Championships in Boston, MA in Aug. 2003.

     "I'm really happy that I was one of the fortunate people to meet Mr. Parker. He was a very phenomenal man.  He talked very highly of Ms. Kathy Owen.  I knew after I

met her and heard her talk about Kenpo and show me Kenpo that in my opinion I picked the best martial art for me.  I'm really glad I kept training because I feel as if I have

succeeded beyond what I expected and I still continue to strive for more knowledge.  I also want to pass on the Kenpo legacy so other people can learn and enjoy the art like I have."

     Mr. Hewlett works with both children and adults at the studio on Mondays and Tuesdays.  He is employed at the Delaware Park Racetrack and spends his free time

watching his favorite TV show, Babylon 5.

Kristina Kreutzer – 3rd Degree Black Belt

     Kristina Kreutzer began training in Kenpo at Newark Kenpo Karate in 1992.  Prior to that, she also trained in Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do while in graduate school at M.I.T.  Upon completion of her Ph.D. in Chemistry, she moved to Delaware where

she works as a research chemist designing catalysts for DuPont.

     “When I moved to Delaware, I decided to look for the best Martial Arts instructors I could find, regardless of style.  When I took the introductory Kenpo lessons, I was very impressed with the scientific nature of the art, and the fact that the

instructors could explain both how and why things are done.  I have been learning both how and why ever since.”

     Ms. Kreutzer has been an active tournament competitor in forms, weapons, fighting and self-defense.  She has numerous titles to her credit, including 1st place wins at the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California.  Ms. Kreutzer received her 3rd Degree Black Belt in front of an International Panel of Judges in Las Vegas, Nevada in Mar. 2006.  She continues to train 2 days a week at the studio and teaches both children and adults on Saturdays.

     Ms. Kreutzer also participates in community service outside of the Kenpo studio.  She is a member of the Mill Creek Fire Company, where she is an EMT-B.  She is also a member of the New Castle County Technical Decontamination Team and the Industrial Hazardous Materials Response Alliance.  Ms. Kreutzer is also a hazardous materials instructor at the Delaware State Fire School.

Chris Yandell – 3rd Degree Black Belt

    Look for Chris' picture and write-up soon.
 

Cameron Gracey – 2nd Degree Black Belt

    Look for Cam's picture and write-up soon.

Jim Farmer – 2nd Degree Black Belt

    Look for Jim's picture and write-up soon.

Patricia Rardon – 2nd Degree Black Belt

     Patricia (Pat) Rardon was first introduced to Kenpo Karate while looking for a Karate School for her son, Shawn.  Like many children his age, he had gotten excited about martial arts through the Karate antics of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  She watched him train for a year, taking extensive notes and practicing with him.  The fact that Kenpo also looked like a lot of fun gave this wife and mother of two children the push to finally begin training in January of 1993.

     “I didn’t realize until I was a few ranks into Kenpo that my training wasn’t just about learning the new material, testing and advancing in rank.  The art of Kenpo is truly a journey, not always progressing smoothly, but always growing.  Obtaining my Black Belt has truly been a crowning achievement to my years of training and a great honor for me.  Along with that honor I recognize that there is a responsibility to continue to share the knowledge I have received from training as well as a need to continue to further my knowledge through training and study.” 

     Mrs. Rardon received both of her Black Belt Degrees at the Las Vegas Training Camps testing in front of the International Board of Directors.   She especially enjoys the weapons training she receives as an advanced student and can often be found practicing with her staff, sticks or knives or even cracking a whip, the latest focus of her pursuit of further skills in the Martial Arts.  Mrs. Rardon regularly teaches the Children’s Classes on Monday nights and often fills in on other evenings whenever needed.

     Mrs. Rardon received a B.A. in Music Education (piano, violin) from Park College in Parkville, Missouri in 1973, graduating magna cum laude.  She also has a background in dance and theatre through private study and community theatre.  Currently, she is employed by the Cecil County Public Schools as the secretary to the Instructional Coordinators of Social Studies, Fine Arts and Early Childhood.  Besides studying and teaching Kenpo, she directs her church choir, plays piano for high school musicals and community theatre, and even does a little acting in the community theatre as well.

Fuller McNutt – 2nd Degree Black Belt

Look for Fuller's picture and write-up soon.

Sue McNutt – 2nd Degree Black Belt

     Sue McNutt first became involved in Kenpo Karate when searching for a place for her youngest son, Tyler, to take Karate.  After about 2 years, her older son, Cody, started and soon after she decided to try it also.  She is currently ranked as a 2nd Degree Black Belt and in addition to teaching classes, she can often be found helping out behind the desk.  Mrs. McNutt served as the Camp Director for our Summer Camp Program in 2005, incorporating her extensive artistic and craft making background, and coordinated the Summer Daytime Classes for Children and Adults.

     Mrs. McNutt graduated from Central Penn Business College in Harrisburg, PA with a degree in Aviation Administration.

Tina Ruth – 1st Degree Black Belt

     Tina Ruth has been interested in the Martial Arts for as long as she can remember.  An opportunity for anything other than reading did not occur until long after she thought she had finished her formal education.  She earned an A.A. in Secondary Education from Wesley College in 1981 and a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from West Chester University in 1984.

     “The early 1990’s found me in a job that opened my eyes for the need to be able to defend myself and in Sept. ’91 I took a self-defense course.  It was the first time I ever got to do anything like that and I was hooked.  By the end of the course I wanted more.  One of the instructors of the course suggested a Kenpo school because of its practical, realistic approach to self-defense.  At the end of 1991 I began my journey in American Kenpo.”

     Ms. Ruth has been a very successful forms competitor in many tournaments including the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, Ca. where she was also part of the NKK National Demo Team.  She teaches both children and adults at the school 2-3 days per week and has served as an assistant instructor for seminars and programs held outside the school.  Ms. Ruth helped develop the NKK Homeschool Program, designed to fulfill the Physical Education requirements for Homeschooled children.  She currently works full time at Union Hospital in Elkton, MD and has achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt.

Keith Rishell – 1st Degree Black Belt

     Keith Rishell began studying the Martial Arts in 1981 and received his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1992.  He currently holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tracy style Kenpo and now a 1st Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo.  In 1993, he left the Tracy school he had been training in and together with several other instructors formed Delaware Karate Academy.  He co-owned and operated this school until 1998.  Mr. Rishell has remained a good friend of Kathy Owen's for over 20 years, so when he began looking to broaden his martial arts knowledge, the decision to train at Newark Kenpo Karate was an easy one.

     "The AKKI and NKK have rejuvenated my love for the Martial Arts.  I have learned more about the Arts from this school in the last 4 years than in my previous 17 years elsewhere.  I continue to learn refinements in my technique every day I am here."

     Mr. Rishell has been an active tournament competitor throughout the years in Local, Regional and National level tournaments.  On several occasions, Mr. Rishell received both First Place wins and Grand Championship honors in both Black Belt Forms and Sparring at National Level Tournaments.  Mr. Rishell was also Nationally ranked in the Top 10 by NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) for both Sparring and Forms in the Black Belt Division in 1993 & 1994.  He currently teaches 5-6 classes per week on Wed. and Thurs. including an Adult Sparring class where he generously shares his many years of tournament experience with the students.

     Mr. Rishell serves as a soccer coach for the teams his 3 children play on and also is an avid mountain biker.  He and his wife, Sheila, own Rishell's Photography, which has locations in Wilmington and Bear, DE.  He is NKK's official school photographer and is responsible for the portraits you see on this website.

Shannon Brown – 1st Degree Black Belt

Sara Anderson – 1st Degree Black Belt

Matthew Borowski – 1st Degree Black Belt

Katie Brown – Jr. Degree Black Belt

Mackenzie West – Jr. Degree Black Belt

Brad Rozmarynoski – Jr. Degree Black Belt

Wayne Wilson – 1st Degree Brown Belt

Peggy Brown – Green Belt

     Peggy Brown is a wife and mother of two who decided to start training at age 40 after watching her oldest daughter train for two years.  In addition to her Kenpo training, she became active in the Cardio-Kenpo program formerly offered by Newark Kenpo Karate and attended numerous fitness conferences sponsored by the American Aerobic Association and the International Sports Medicine Association to further her overall fitness knowledge.  She became a certified Cardio-Kickboxing instructor and continues to spice up her warm-ups with exercises and drills gleaned from these experiences.

     Mrs. Brown has B.A. Degrees in Art History and Communications from the University of California at Santa Barbara.  She currently works as at the Bear-Glasgow YMCA and teaches 3rd grade Catechism at St. Margaret of Scotland’s Roman Catholic Church.

     Mrs. Brown likes to use her enthusiasm, creativity and humor to keep her students interested and inspired.  She regularly teaches Junior Classes on Fridays.  She is currently ranked as a Green Belt and is working hard towards testing for her Brown Belt.

Nicole Robinson – 2nd Degree Brown Belt

Alex Russell – 1st Degree Brown Belt

Michael Mekulski – 1st Degree Brown Belt

Antonio Wyatt – 1st Degree Brown Belt