St. Peter Community Taekwon Do

Our School

Our School was established in 2006 by Mr. Marcus Paar, III Dan, and Dr. Karen Larson, II Dan.

Our school, St. Peter Community Taekwon-Do, has the following goals:

• To teach traditional USTF Taekwon-Do
• To maintain a balanced approach to instruction in Taekwon-Do. We strive to build well-rounded students by not only teaching the physical aspects of Taekwon-Do but also by putting emphasis on the incorporation of the Tenets (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit) into our students daily lives.
• To have instructors who realize they are here to instill discipline and focus into each student while building that student's self-confidence.
• To have a common-sense approach to self-defense that has proven to be a highly effective program focusing not only on physical counters to various attacks but also emphasizing the need for situational awareness and pre-planning.
• To have a scientific approach to instruction. All  black belts are certified by the USTF and, as part of their training, are taught standardized methods to teach the techniques and philosophies in a way that is age appropriate and adaptable to the various abilities of our students.
• To maintain our approach that is focused on helping to define and build positive attitudes, behavior, and character.
• To continue be understanding and have experiences with children with special needs. We draw on personal experience to provide an environment that is conducive to students with special needs, including ADD/ADHD.

Classes
Taekwon-Do classes consist of warm ups, basic drills (blocking, kicking and punching), patterns, self defense techniques, and games. Taekwon-Do emphasizes mental training and discipline as well as physical training. Meditation is also a component of this discipline. Classes are available for students ages five through adult, and are offered through St. Peter Recreation & Leisure Services. All classes are led by black belt instructors. Classes are held at the St. Peter Recreation Center, located at 600 South 5th Street, St. Peter, MN 56082. Information about signing up for the classes is available from St. Peter Recreation & Leisure Services, 507-934-0667 or the Recreation Hotline, 507-934-0070.
If you have questions or need more information, please email Mr. Marcus Paar, III Dan, or call him at 507 934-2183. You may also call Dr. Karen Larson, II Dan, at 507 931-5574 or email her.

Our Staff

 Senior Instructor

Mr. Marcus Paar, III Dan
Phone: 507-934-2183
Email: Marcus_C_Paar@lesueurinc.com

Mr. Paar was born in San Antonio, TX. He began his martial arts training while in Berlin, MD under the instruction of Ben Nelson through the Berlin Middle School. He also studied under the direct guidance of Patrick Tilghman in Salsbury, MD in 1993. Mr. Paar received his I Dan in 1997 while under Mr. William Stevenson (now Master Stevenson). Grand Master Sereff presided over this testing in Kirksville, MO. In 2004, Mr. Paar received II Dan under Glen Morgan through American Academy of Tae Kwon Do. In 2006, he founded the St. Peter Community Taekwon-Do school with Dr. Karen Larson. On February 2nd and 3rd, he, Dr. Larson, and Mr. Lanes traveled to Kirksville, Missouri to test for their Class C Instructor Certification. He was successfull. March 8th, 2008, Mr. Paar has attained III Dan under the tutelage of Master VanHecke. He especially enjoys technical pattern work and technical breaking. 
Mr. Paar, when asked why he teaches, responded by saying, "In an increasingly dangerous world I feel it is the duty of martial arts instructors to pass on principles of the Tenets of Taekwon-Do and instill them in our students while providing them the confidence and ability to defend themselves and others."

 Senior Instructor

Dr..Karen Larson, II Dan
Phone: 507-931-5574
Email: klarson2@gustavus.edu 

Dr. Karen Larson has trained in the martial arts over a span of 22 years. Her Taekwon Do training began in the World Wide Academy of Taekwon Do and transferred to the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Federation in 2005. She has taken additional training in the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. She has over 10 years of experience teaching Taekwon-Do and other martial arts at the college level, in her own school, and co-instructing in three schools, including St. Peter Community Taekwon-Do, which she and Mr. Paar founded in 2006. In addition to attaining second dan status in Taekwon-Do, she has also studied iaido, judo, kapoiera, karate, and t'ai chi. Additional martial arts activities include: publication, refereeing, and tournament competitions- highlighted by a third place finish in patterns in the 2007 USTF national competition. On February 2nd and 3rd, she traveled with Mr. Paar and Mr. Lanes to Kirksville, Missouri to test for her Class C Instructor's Certification. She was successful.

Assistant Instructor

 
Mr. Jerad Lanes, I Dan
Phone: 507-381-7478
 Email: jerad_lanes@hotmail.com

Mr. Lanes started Taekwon-Do the spring of 1998. He has actively studied Taekwon-Do for the past eight years. Taekwon-Do has grown far beyond being a simple workout for him and become more a way of life. In 2004, he tested for and received his black belt. At the test the instructor asked what it meant to be a black belt, Mr. Lanes' response was: “It means that I have achieved a higher understanding of what it means to be a martial artist. Most think that black belt is the end, when it is really a new beginning of responsibility and commitment. I have tried my whole life looking for a reason to live a better life full of morals and ethical practices. My journey has just begun and I plan to live a fuller life, and one day teach others what it means to be a martial artist.” Needless to say, this response was one that impressed his instructors. They asked him to remember the word "humility"- a concept which has helped shape and guide his life. "Always stay humble and accept criticism from others even if they are a lower belt than you, you can always learn from them as they learn from you.” This has become a motto he lives by. On February 2nd and 3rd, he traveled with Mr. Paar and Dr. Larson to Kirksville, Missouri to test for his Class C Instructor's Certification. He was successful.

 Webmistress

Ms. Meretisa (Isa) Halliwell, 7th Gup
Phone: 507-934-2183
Email: Meretisa@yahoo.com

Ms. Meretisa Halliwell, spouse of Mr. Paar,  has been gracious enough to donate her time and efforts to create and maintain this beautiful website for us. If there are any questions regarding the website or a broken link to report, please email or call her at 507-934-2183.
As for Taekwon-Do, she began her instruction under Mr. Paar in 2004 and progressed nicely until she became pregnant with their first child. She  has been on hiatus since the birth of her and Mr. Paar's son, Alexxander, but hopes to get "back in the game" soon. For his part, Alexxander is working on his balance and walking abilities.

Founded in 1973, the mandate of the USTF is to teach and promote Taekwon-Do according to the guidance of the late General Choi Hong Hi, the originator of Taekwon-Do. The USTF is currently headquartered in Bloomfield, Colorado and is being led by General Choi's loyal student Grand Master Charles E. Sereff.

 The current president of the USTF is Grand Master Charles E. Sereff. Master Paul De Baca is the current Vice President. Sereff Taekwon-Do, located in Broomfield, Co, is the national headquarters for the USTF. The head instructors are Grand Master Sereff and Master Renee' Sereff (his wife).

We are members of Region V, which includes: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and the Upper Peninsula Michigan. Click here for more information.

Region V Director
Master F. M. VanHecke, VII Dan
752 Lake Shore Road
Grafton, WI 53024
262.377.6550
f.m.vanhecke@ustf-region5.org
Website: www.ustf-region5.org

Master Van Hecke began his studies in Taekwon-Do in 1967 in New York City. He was awarded his First Dan Black Belt (U.S.167) by Grandmaster Son, Duc Sung, on June 4, 1970. Master Van Hecke continued his studies and teaching in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under Master Sin il Choi, now an Eighth Dan in Corpus Christi, Texas and under James Jaeger of West Bend, Wisconsin. In 1984 Master Van Hecke co-founded a school, the Ozaukee Academy of Martial Arts, with Third Dan Larry Lamont. The school was located in Grafton, Wisconsin. In 1992, Master Van Hecke joined the United States Taekwon-Do Federation and tested for his Fourth Dan (A-4-199) before Grand Master C.E. Sereff. Master Van Hecke was named an International Taekwon-Do Federation International Instructor June 21, 1996 (#855). He achieved Fifth Dan, U.S.T.F.-I.T.F., (A-5-111) testing under Master Walt Lang April 19, 1997. On July 21, 1997 he was appointed Wisconsin State Director of U.S.T.F. As of September 28, 2001, he is a U.S.T.F. Class A Umpire. On December 8, 2001 Master Van Hecke tested for and was promoted to Sixth Dan at Jackson, WI, before Master Paul DeBaca, U.S.T.F. Vice President. Recently, 2007, he was promoted to Seventh Dan and is now a Master.

Master Van Hecke is now President of the Association of Academies of Martial Arts and is Region V Director. He has member schools at Grafton, Port Washington, Green Bay, Sheboygan,Manitowoc, Middleton, and Walworth, Wisconsin, in Charlotte, Mooresville and Cornelius, N.C. and in Bluefield and Princeton, W.Va.

Wisconsin Director
Kevin McDaniel, V Dan
2711 Allen Blvd, Suite B2
Middleton, WI 53562
608.831.5967
Kevin.McDaniel@ustf-region5.org
Website: www.amac-tkd.com

Mr. McDaniel has been studying martial arts since 1974.  Starting out in Aikido in which he earned a 2nd Dan in 1980, he eventually switched to Taekwon-Do in 1981 after seeing a demonstration by a local master and being mesmerized by the power of the strikes and majesty of the kicks.  After competing both nationally and internationally throughout the 1980’s Mr. McDaniel had the opportunity to train with Richard Mayo who introduced him to the more traditional ITF style of Taekwon-Do.  After training with Mr. Mayo for several years Mr. McDaniel attended an ITF summer camp where he met Master Earl Weiss and Grand Master Sereff, whose patience and scientific approach to teaching convinced Mr. McDaniel he had found the right group to learn from. Mr. McDaniel’s greatest pleasure (next to playing with his own kids and watching them grow up) is to watch his student’s progress through the ranks, observing them develop their physical skills and blossom into self-confident individuals. 

Mr. Kevin McDaniel was made Wisconsin State Director in 2003 and directs USTF activities for the state of Wisconsin, who’s membership is currently made of up these schools:

• Special Needs Academy of Martial Arts, Grafton, WI
• Grafton Academy of Martial Arts, Grafton, WI
• Green Bay Academy of Martial Arts, Green Bay, WI
• American Martial Arts Center , Middleton, WI
• Fox Valley TaeKwon-Do, Neenah, WI
• Sheboygan Academy of Martial Arts, Sheboygan, WI

Ms. Hunt was born and raised in Illinois . After graduating from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1988. In 1990, she began training in Taekwon-Do under Mr. Darrell Belson and Mr. James DeFrancisco. She earned her I Dan in 2000, and in 2001 moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she now teaches.  She earned her II Dan in 2005.

Ms. Hunt was made Minnesota State Director in 2003 and directs USTF activities for the state of Minnesota, who’s membership is currently made of up these schools:

• Bryant Park TaeKwon-Do, Minneapolis, MN
• St. Peter Community Taekwon-Do, St. Peter, MN

Grand Master Choi Hong Hi (Deceased)- the creator and "Father of Taekwon-Do"

Grand Master Sereff (9th Dan)- current President of the USTF, learned directly from Grand Master General Choi

Master VanHecke (7th Dan working on his 8th/Master)- learned from Grand Master General Choi and Grand Master Sereff

Mr. Kevin McDaniel (5th Dan working on his 6th)- learned from Grand Master General Choi, Grand Master Sereff, and Master VanHecke

Mr. Marcus Paar (3rd Dan working on 4th) & Dr. Karen Larson (2nd Dan working on 3rd)- currently learning from Master VanHecke

OUR STUDENTS