Dallas Lawrence

5th Degree Black Belt

American Fork and Saratoga Springs Head of School

I originally began learning karate as a result of my dad teaching a group of neighborhood kids. My dad always enjoyed working with children but I also think he knew that my brothers and I would see the other kids having fun and soon join in. We did, and am I glad!

My favorite thing about karate is sharing moments with students: the first time someone breaks a board, when someone lands a flip for the first time or nails a kick they have been working on. I especially enjoy the moment somebody earns a black belt. I consider my biggest accomplishment to be the longevity of my black belt students. As a teacher, I love to see others take hold of the martial arts way of life, to see people achieve their goals, make their lives better and impact their family and their community for the better, which is what it is all about. I have taught and worked with over 100 black belt students, and I am grateful they have given me the chance to do what I love doing.

My goal as a teacher is to make my students better than I am, to develop students who love martial arts and love teaching others. There is something special about seeing a student spread their wings and do their thing. I am glad to be a part of something that is bigger than myself and that will be perpetuated by my dedicated students.

Travis Masterson

3rd Degree Black Belt

Saratoga Springs Head Instructor

I started karate when I was five years old through the community education program in 1993. I was always captivated by martial artists and the fluidity of their movements. My personal favorite thing about karate is doing kicks and tricks (720, back flips, etc.) and also seeing my students grow and learn. My biggest accomplishment so far as a martial artist is becoming one of the head instructors. I enjoy being able to be a positive influence in other people’s lives by teaching important lifelong skills. My main goal as a teacher is to help each student reach their own personal potential and become a positive influence on others whether they are at home, school or karate.

Joelle Jewkes

2nd Degree Black Belt

American Fork Instructor

I started karate in January 2006. I decided to join to learn self-defense and to give me more confidence. I love the workouts, discipline and lessons I learn in class that are not only valuable in martial arts but in everyday life as well. I also enjoy the mental stimulation of constantly learning new things, improving myself and helping others improve. My big accomplishments consist of graduating high school, getting 4's on both of my AP tests, getting a full tuition scholarship to UVU, earning my 2nd degree black belt, being on the leadership and STORM teams and becoming an instructor for the American Fork Bobby Lawrence Karate studio. My main goal as a teacher is to be able to teach my students to become successful martial artists and be positive leaders and examples to the people they associate with.

Cesar Aguilar

1st Degree Black Belt

American Fork and Saratoga Springs Instructor

I have been taking karate since April 2008. My friend Justin introduced me to Bobby Lawrence Karate, and I made the decision to join. My most favorite thing about karate is learning and teaching the martial arts. There is nothing more rewarding than learning and working hard to become a great martial artist and to be able to teach others to become one also. One of my biggest accomplishments in martial arts is my first place win for the sparring division at the Western States Championship in Wyoming. Another big accomplishment for me is being one of BLK top leadership members and certified instructors. My goal as an instructor is to be the best that I can be so that I can help others become the best that they can be.