James' Surprise Punch

For the first time in a while, there was blood on the canvas during a sparring match on Wednesday.  James took some rough face shots from both Iz and Abrahant during sparring.  But James caught Abrahant a few times and bloodied up his nose.  I was surprised because James' punches often don't land where they should.  I'm always reminding him to stay in his stance and focus on where he wants the punches to go.

Today, I announced to those in the gym that next Friday a group picture will be taken.  Sahia (Mikaela, Noel, and Shay's mom) and I are planning a fundraiser in order to buy some needed extra equipment for the gym.  The group picture will be featured on a flier in order to help create interest in the fundraiser.  I also need to make new fliers for the class in general.  It's too late this year to have the event because the fall session is ending, and most have already stopped showing up to class.  But it needs to take place as early as possible in January to set the tone for next year.  Coach James was also very helpful in giving Sahia and myself ideas for the fundraiser.

Ariel stopped in the gym, and she looked very well.  I wish she could come back to the class.  But she's busy with high school (an A student, by the way), and she has a part-time job.  

Another major focus for next year is getting more adults interested in the class. The park district's emphasis has always been on kids, but the adults should get some attention, too.  

Hustle At Humboldt Park

Malik was a no-show at Humboldt Park's boxing show, as was Gael.  Mikaela and Noel weren't able to attend.  James had decided that he wasn't going to participate.  So that left Iz and his brother Abrahant.  There was absolutely no one for Abrahant to have a match with among the other fighters who showed up.  Iz had a chance -- twice -- to be paired off with someone.  Unfortunately, it was determined that Iz was too tall and had too much of an arm reach, despite the fact that in comparison to the other boys, Iz had no fight experience.

Iz, Abrahant, and their parents decided to go home.  Tony and his mom were there, but Tony did not opt to fight.  They wanted to watch the show to get an idea of what goes on.  Tony's mom pointed out that Iz, Abrahant, and their parents should have stayed to watch as well.  I agreed, but I had gone through the same thing too many times with other parents.  If their kid has never had a fight, it would be a good idea to check out the fights so they know what to expect if and when they do get their chance in the ring.  Instead, people become discouraged, disappointed, annoyed, etc., and they leave.

I ended up judging again, and Alan acted as a judge, too.  There were eight fights in total.  Tony's mom was surprised that one fight was allowed to go to the end, despite the fact that one boy was bleeding from his nose.  Another fight showcased a boy who had good head movement and footwork.  The boy won, but I wished he had thrown more punches instead of constantly dancing around the ring.  

Harry, a heavyweight, won his fight against another heavyweight named Dominic.  Harry wants to come up to LaFollette and get a workout in.  I told him he could come in on Friday, but I informed him that the field house was closing early due to Veteran's Day.  The gym was open early, but the only class that was going to take place was the one for those twelve-years-old and younger.  Harry didn't make it in, but I hope he comes in soon.

Iz and Abrahant showed up to class a half-hour late as usual.  When they learned the field house was closing a half-hour after their class ended, they wanted to stay for the extra time.  Considering that I had to have time to put away the equipment, grab my things, and lock the gym, the answer was an automatic no. Time management is something the two brothers haven't gotten a handle on yet, and I wonder sometimes if they ever will.

December Shut Down

James told me, "Miss Hillari, I've changed my mind about Humboldt Park."  I wasn't very surprised when he told me he wasn't going to the boxing show later this week.  James seemed more interested in going just to see friends and relatives who live near that field house.  Neither was I surprised when Gael didn't show up to class.  Gael and his sister haven't been showing up on the days they said they could come to class.  I was surprised when Iz and Abraham said they planned to compete in the show seeing how it didn't appear they had much interest earlier.

I've decided to shut down the gym for the rest of the year on the day after my birthday next month.  For some odd reason, the park district schedules the fall teen and adult boxing classes to end the week before Thanksgiving, and the kids class to end the first week of December.  In order not to confuse anyone and to make things easier for me, I decided to have all of the classes end on the same day.

The idea of fundraising came up again.  But I learned that as an employee, I can't go out with cap in hand to solicit funds.  It works better if it comes from a parent.  Mikaela, Noel, and Shay's mom told me she would like to help with that.  I appreciate that very much.  I don't need much in the gym, but I need what I need.  We're going to talk about it more and see what we can come up with.