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Welcome to the Members Section for the Valley View Kendo Club. No dojo is complete without a dedicated group of practitioners, and below are photos and a little bit of information about each of us, so that you may better come to know the group of men and women that are involved in making the study of this ancient art such a pleasure at the VVKMAC.
OUR PART-TIME MEMBERS (WITH FULL-TIME SPIRIT)
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Shodan Matthew Reardon has been involved with martial arts for thirty
years. He has practiced Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Ninjitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, and Karate
in which he holds the rank of Third Degree Black Belt. He teaches self
defense and a variety of weapons. He is a trained chef and an avid
motorcyclist. Though he was introduced to Kendo in the late 80's, it
wasn't until he met Steve Voss of Hokkyokusei in Rochester that he began
training with the Mid West Kendo Federation. 
Shodan Joe Swayne is the owner of VVKMAC and has been doing American Freestyle
Karate and Tae Kwon Do since early childhood. He holds the rank of Third
Degree Black Belt in Karate and has been nationally ranked in fighting and forms
competitions. He has his degree in business from Viterbo
University and has two children who live in Texas.
Shodan Aaron Larson works with computers in the Holman school system. He
holds a second degree black belt in American Free Style Karate and along with
his wife Sarah, they expect to get their four beautiful children involved in
kendo when they are old enough. 
Shodan Dave Herold is an accomplished tattoo artist who specializes in Japanese
artwork (just ask to see Mr. Reardon's legs). Dave is the father of one
and has been in fighting arts for many years. He has been in Tae Kwon Do
and fought in the SCA, so kendo was a natural progression. With Dave's
time constraints he must juggle a lot of things in order to play kendo, but
works twice as hard as anyone else when in the dojo.
Ikkyu Alex Korish was the first junior student with us. He is a Second
Degree Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate and an all around outstanding
martial artist-he can get Mr. Reardon to tap out during most of their Jiu-Jitsu
matches. Alex is an avid hunter and even with the busy schedule of a high
school teenager, still finds time for us.
Ikkyu Pat Peterson owns a very successful computer consulting firm and is
happily married and the father of two. Kendo is Pat's first martial art,
but he has taken to it quite well. At 6' 6" tall it was tough to find gear
to fit him, but he makes a very intimidating target when he stands in Jodan.
Ikkyu Sharen Lapham works with troubled youth as a social worker in Minnesota.
She holds a black belt in Karate and loves kendo. Her daughter, a black
belt as well, travels with us to most of the Mid West Federation events (and if
mom and I have anything to say about it will be in kendo someday). 
Ikkyu Michael Slivinski is a father of two girls. They live in
Sheldon, MN so it is quite a commute to kendo for him. Michael studied Tae
Kwon Do for years and holds the rank of Black Belt. He is a RN in the
Neurological ICU at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In his spare time he
enjoys bow and waterfowl hunting, fishing, and historical war gaming. We
will see him at many Mid West tournaments. 
Ikkyu Aaron Frost is an IT professional from the Onalaska area. He got involved
with kendo through a former coworker, our own Aaron Larson. He enjoys it
for its tradition, discipline, and the fulfillment it gives him. Aaron is also
involved with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from La Crosse, and finds many
similarities between kendo & drum corps. This is Aaron's first martial art and
he hopes to make it to all of the Midwest events.
Nikyu Tylor Fischer first joined kendo because of his love for ancient culture,
interest in Japan and the Martial Arts, especially the art of Kenjutsu.
Though Tylor has taken classes in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, it is Kendo that
he considers his only true Martial Art. He is very intrigued by the
possibilities of the modern application of the sword and has been quoted..."To
practice the art of swordsmanship is to walk the path between life and death.
The sword has the power to take a life, but also to protect one. It is up
to the person that wields that sword as to what he chooses to do with it.
When you pick up a sword you take on this burden and you must understand
that power. Even though the practical aspect of the sword is no longer
relevant, it is the spirit hidden within this ideal, that now holds the power.
It is my hope to gain some insight into this and all areas of swordsmanship." 
Parker Fischer has been an avid fan of swords and swordplay from an early age (I
blame it on Soul Caliber II). His older brother Tylor was introduced to
kendo through some friends at church and after he came to watch a practice was
instantly hooked. Parker could only watch from the side for so long before
he too decided to try it out and fell in love with kendo from the get go.
This is Parker's first martial art but he has jumped in with reckless abandon
and is fast becoming a serious swordsman. We look forward to watching him
grow in this art. 
Kira Crook has always had a deep interest in the sword arts.
Since early childhood she used to dress up in armor and wield a plastic sword
for many a Halloween (I have seen the pictures). The oldest daughter of a
black belt martial artist, it wasn't until Kira was introduced to kendo through
a member of her church, our own Roxanne Munns, that she found her true calling.
She has taken naturally to kendo and watching her do tameshigiri-it shows.
Her sisters come to watch her at every class (and I expect it wont be long
before they join). A phenomenal artist, she hopes to work as a concept
artist in the video game industry with a degree from Viterbo, where she will
attend next year. 
Nikyu Roxanne Munns is a work at home mother to Aaron and Rebekah. Roxanne was
introduced to kendo through a course in collage at the University of Wisconsin,
than after a break of ten years, got back into it, along with her husband Scott.
The majority of her travels has been through Japan and she really enjoys being
involved with a group with similar interests.
Scott Munns
Kevin "Baah" Callahan is currently studying for a degree as an occupational
therapy assistant at WWTC and has always been interested in other cultures, and
the immersion in them. He has been involved in martial arts for many
years and though new to kendo, he enjoys it for its' traditional style and for
helping in relieving stress. 
Devon West is another junior member of our group. A black belt in American
Freestyle Karate, he finds time to do kendo even with his high school activities
like band. Devon is a Japanese culture fan, having read Shogun and watched
most of the Akira Kurosawa films.