Instructors
Mr. Mike Hagood is the owner and senior black belt at Idaho Kenpo at Meridian. He holds the rank of 7th degree black belt and is a Professor in Kenpo. Mr. Hagood has studied Kenpo since 1980, drawn to the discipline because of the challenge, has gained confidence, the competition, and the value of self-
defense. Kenpo offers a positive environment with good role models.
Mr. Derrick Czarnecki is the Manager of Idaho Kenpo Karate and has earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt after starting in 1997. Kenpo has given him tremendous Focus skills and enjoys every moment of Teaching and practicing Kenpo. Learning is limitless here at this school and not just as a Martial Artist, but as a Human Being. He highly suggests Everyone try taking lessons at our school in Meridian, since it has changed his life in such a positive way and still does!
Mr. Timothy L. Rightenour has studied Kenpo for since 1997 and has a 2nd degree black belt. Prior to Kenpo, he studied Judo for seven years and earned a Brown belt. Mr. Rightenour considers Kenpo to be a practical style that is not bound by tradition. Kenpo can be adapted to fit an individual's needs with street effective results. Kenpo is also a scientific style in which a student must consider movement and how the body reacts. The practical nature of Kenpo in combination with the feeling of brotherhood at this studio makes for the perfect style of martial arts.
Mr. Don Minnis has achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in his six years of study in Kenpo. He also achieved a Green Belt in Judo within 3 years. He began to study Kenpo when his two sons wanted to take lessons in 1995. It was something that they could work on together and he liked the message Kenpo, Mr. Hagood, and other instructors had on his kids. Our school works very hard to teach discipline, focus, courtesy, and consideration of all others involved. He looks forward to staying in shape by going to group classes and his private lessons. He also likes to spend time with his friends at the school. Every workout he learns something new to help him as well as his students. He believes that Mr. Hagood and the other instructors are excellent role models to any child. The training here is superb and very well run. The Kenpo system is very modern and street effective.
Ms. Duarte
Mrs. Duarte started studying Kenpo Karate in 1996 with her daughter, Erin. What started as a mother/daughter bonding experience has become a life changing event for both of them.
Mrs. Duarte enjoys the physical discipline, the heightened sense of awareness, the mental challenge and the sense of family she received from the school.
She thoroughly enjoys teaching young people and is thrilled when they ‘get it’.
Mrs. Duarte received her black belt on September 15th, 2007 which was one of the proudest days of her life.
Mr. Tyler Deroin
Hi! My name is Tyler Deroin. I am 17 years old and have been taken lessons in Kenpo for eleven years. I received my 1st degree black belt on September 19, 2008. I started with my brother at the age of six. He was the one dragging me in everyday into class. However, in time, I came to be the one that loved it. It has affected me ever since. It has thought me the value of self-discipline, hard work, and respect. I’ve taken these morals quite seriously and have had no discipline problems in or out of karate. It has taught me so much that there is nothing else I can compare it to in my life. I am currently passing these on to other students through private lessons and group classes.
Mr. Jason Mittleider
When I was turning 5 years old, I received Kenpo lessons as a gift and I have been involved in martial arts ever since, that works out to be 23 years!
I currently hold a 1st Degree Black Belt and feel that the self-discipline I gained from martial arts training has greatly assisted me during my 7 years in the Military.
Mr. Corey Rambough
My name is Corey Rambough. I’m 17 years old and I’ve been in karate for 8 and a half years. I’m a first degree black belt. I also have several students and groupe classes I teach. Karate has been a part of my life since i was 8 years old. I had a friend who was in karate when i was little and i kept asking my parents to sign me up. They finally did, and my first instructor was Mr. Czarnecki. He stayed my instructor throughout my martial arts career up until my black where we now train together as students to Mr. Hagood. Everything I learned in karete has helped me in my life outside of it. I went from young and shy kid, lanky and clumsy, timid and soft spoken, to a composed, confident, and outgoing young man. Karate has taught me to trust in myself and other around me. It's a journey I wouldn’t trade anything.
Mr. Daniel Scott Rhodes
I became adamant about taking martial arts at 14 years old, a short while after September 11th, 2001. My studies of Kenpo have given me the confidence that if I need to defend myself in a situation where I was not able to carry a weapon, like onboard an airplane, I could. I have something no one can take away from me or use against me. I wanted something inside me that I could summon if, God forbid, a situation were to arise where I must defend myself or those around me that I hold dear.
I am glad God has led me to this Karate school as opposed to any other. Relationships are important to me and I have always been extremely careful with whom I associate with. At this school it is easy to build those relationships because of the integrity inside the people who teach and practice here. Integrity is a must. Mr. Hagood is my instructor and my friend because he has shown me he has integrity.
Even though my goal as far as self defense was achieved here at this school many years back, I continue on because of the relationships I have here and the example I can set for the students I know teach.
Ms. Nancy Link
I joined Idaho Kenpo in 2003 to help my granddaughter who struggles with ADD. I knew the discipline and focus would help her but I had no idea how much it would benefit me and that I would love it so much. I was never athletic, was overweight and had no balance or stamina.
Now I wear a green belt. My weight has dropped from 180 to 123lbs. I’m strong, have great balance and love my Kenpo family. In the summer of 2008 I participated in the Long Beach International Tournament where I received two first place trophies – one for sparring and one for self-defense techniques. A man I beat up came up to me and said “I’m 35 and I was thinking I was too old for this. You’ve proven me wrong’.
It hasn’t been a fast change but it’s been a marvelous journey. I wish I’d started at a younger age, but I’m grateful I started. Karate has helped me feel more confident, stronger and happier.
P.S. My son and grandson also do Kenpo. What a wonderful family activity!
Ms. Jennifer Nance
Miss Jennifer Nance originally started taking lessons in 1993. She made it to her Jr. 2nd Degree Brown belt in 1999 before taking a ten year break. In 2009, she earned her adult green belt and competed at the Long Beach Internationals competition in California as well as the European International Karate Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miss Nance believes training at the Kenpo studio is a great way to lead an active lifestyle, build confidence, and gain lifelong friends.
Mr. Shaun Hjelm
I'm a adult green belt & have been taking Kenpo Karate for about 4 years. I'm 16 years old And enjoy it very much. I wanted to do something that would help me in the future, physically & mentally and help me become a better man. Also, don't let other people tell you can not do something, because I'm a diabetic and participate
in all facets of Kenpo Karate, including sparring and self defence tecniques. I appreciate that I am challenged on a daily basis."
Mr. Austin Kuenzli
Has studied for 2 years in Kenpo and currently have a blue belt. The martial arts style I used to study just wasn’t challenging enough. They had very low standards. Kenpo is constantly pushing me to become better and better.
Ms. Jessica Knight
I started Kenpo August, 2003 with my dad. I always pushed him to let me go to a martial arts studio. I didn’t really care what style it was or anything. I just wanted to do any martial art. I am so glad that my dad finally let me and that he choose this studio. Being at this studio had really changed my life. The two most important things I have gained from taking karate at this studio is confidence and friendship. I really do consider this my second home.
I am currently a 1st degree brown belt. I love to compete in tournaments. I have competed in the Long Beach International 3 times. I have also competed in the European internationals in Las Vegas. I plan to compete in Bob White’s Invitational tournament this year.
 Mr. Milender |
 Ms.Azcuenaga |
 Mr. Louie |
 Ms. Rotta |
