Scholarship Awarded
Congratulations to Thomas (TJ) Labayewski, the 2017 recipient of the Crandall-Stalloch Community Safety Scholarship. TJ was presented with a $500 check for use towards college expenses this fall. His name was also added to the plaque that hangs in the training hall.
American Eagle Style follows the traditional philosophy of the martial arts. Based on this, their black belts are supposed to make an overall positive contribution to their communities, also benefiting their school.
The American Martial Arts Institute believes that education is essential for the growth of individuals and for the benefit of society. The school encourages students to read, expanding their knowledge. One way the school encourages this is to require students to begin a martial arts library of books and DVDs beginning with the book Be Safe Physically and Mentally with the Crandall System about personal safety in daily life. This continues with other resources including the American Eagle Style Textbook and the DVD American Eagle Style Self-Defense, Volume 1. From this beginning, students are encouraged and expected to add to their personal library with the books and DVDs by other authors. By speaking with their instructors, students learn how to identify a book, DVD, or website that has been produced by a reputable individual with quality information.
The school also prioritizes academic excellence in school and requires the students to present their report cards to their instructor each marking period so they may discuss education, especially the importance of appropriate socialization and interpersonal interactions.
Students who are under 18 years of age and have earned the rank of 1st degree black belt (whether junior rank or adult rank status) may apply to enter into the "Red Top" program. This program teaches the student how to be a class assistant in a non-instructional capacity. In order to instruct in the American Eagle Style, an individual must be a black belt over the age of 18, and they must be certified annually. Therefore, students under 18 cannot teach. However, they may learn how to run stretching, be a partner for students and instructors, participate in special demonstrations, assist at junior rank black belt testings, answer phones, and assist in other ways that will help them to one day be an instructor if they choose to apply for the instructor program. None of the instructors in the American Martial Arts Institute are paid. Instead, they volunteer their time to assist Grandmaster Crandall in the teaching of his students.
Students who serve in the Red Top program develop strong leadership and presentation skills. This has helped many of them in the college application process. Many have gone on to become instructors and are still active in the school.
The American Martial Arts Institute sponsors the Crandall-Stalloch Scholarship for Community Safety, founded in 2010 to support the continuing education of an American Eagle Style student who is a graduating senior enrolling in a 2 or 4 year college.
This award was created by Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr., the founder of the American Martial Arts Institute and American Eagle Style, with support by Master Eric Stalloch, the business owner of the main training location.
The Award
A $500 academic scholarship and certificate.
Criteria for Eligibility
The student applying for this award must:
Be a graduating senior from high school
Be a black belt (junior rank or adult status)
Be an active, registered student of the American Martial Arts Institute
Have served as a Junior Rank Black Belt Class Assistant (Red Top) for a minimum of one-year
Be enrolling in a two or four year college
Submit an application and essay by April 15th of the year they are eligible. These guidelines are available at the school, and all deadlines and requirements must be met.
NOTE: Essay guidelines are available at the main office.
Proof of registration into an accredited college is required before $500 check will be issued to the recipient.
The essays and projects are judged by a panel of 6th and 7th degree black belts with Grandmaster Crandall leading the committee. The scholarship is awarded to one individual who accumulates the most points based on the grading rubric. Some years, no scholarship will be granted because there will be no applicants. In years where there is a single applicant, that applicant must score the minimum points stated in the essay guideline sheet to win the award.
The winner's high school is contacted with an official letter so the student may be recognized at graduation and in any award ceremonies they may hold. The name of past winners are listed on the American Martial Arts Institute website and on a plaque in the school's main office.
We are proud to be a traditional school which values the education of all our students. If you have any questions about this scholarship, contact the main office.
