Caroline Royall

October 22, 2001

Speech 5 – Tribute

Good afternoon! I am so honored to be here today at the Southeastern Kung-Fu Conference, surrounded by souls of steel and fountains of strength. As martial artists, we have all learned the values of truth, honor and discipline, and today I have the pleasure of praising someone who not only embodies those virtues himself, but devotes his time and energy to instilling them into those around him. As we spend this glorious afternoon in honor of outstanding Kung-Fu masters, I want to tell you about someone who is very special to me, and a remarkable person in and out of the dojo.

My Kung-Fu master Kim Crisp graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1989. With his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, he began teaching physical education to elementary school children. He is also the head coach for both the girls and boys junior varsity soccer teams at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. Kim began his martial arts career in the summer of 1981 at Stover’s Karate Kung-Fu Academy under the direction of World Kickboxing Champion, Ronnie Weaver. Kim was promoted to First Degree Blacksash in Su Lum Fa Kung-Fu in July of 1985. From there, he began to teach his own classes at locations such as the Wilmington YMCA, the Community Arts Center, and the Brigade Boys Club. Throughout his teaching, and still today, Kim continues to study under Master Stover, creator of Su Lum Fa Kung-Fu. In addition to his current Fifth Degree Blacksash in Kung-Fu, Sifu Kim Crisp also holds a First Degree Blackbelt in Shaolin Kempo Karate. His achievements in life go far beyond the classroom or the dojo. Kim Crisp holds the most admirable character traits of any one person that I have ever come in contact with.

My relationship with Kim began in January of 1999 when I began Su Lum Fa Kung Fu. A misfortunate experience introduced me to the feeling of helplessness and loss of security. I began to fear any situation in which I felt the least bit susceptible, and this feeling was something very foreign and unsettling to me. I was used to being strong, daring, and fearless, and I now found myself wary of every dark corner and vulnerable situation. It didn’t take long before I realized, “this is not me, this is not fair, and this will end.” I opened the phone book, and began my search for martial arts schools. As I called from school to school, I repeatedly received money hungry advice before I dialed the number for Crisp Martial Arts Academy. I found myself on the other end of the line with someone who actually seemed to care about my personal needs. Sifu Kim Crisp began our conversation by questioning me as to why I chose the style of Kung Fu, and what I was looking to get out of martial arts. As I told him that I really wasn’t sure as to the differences in styles and practice, he left me with the feeling that he cared not about making money, but that I chose the right style and school to fit my needs. As I hung up the phone, I had no idea that what I was about to embark on would change my life forever.

As we all know, the term “dojo” is Chinese for “house of enlightenment.” It is here that we are expected to bow upon entrance and exit, and to show our respect to any black sash that enters. Before I began Kung Fu, I thought of the dojo, or any place of martial arts practice, to be an austere environment of blood and sweat. I wasn’t too far off, because many schools are overly austere, requiring their students to follow precise ritual from the moment they walk in to their dismissal. While similar elements of seriousness, respect, and hard work exist in our dojo, we are more like a family than competing warriors. We laugh and smile as we learn together in an open and safe environment. We support and encourage one another in everything that we do, and sifu Crisp sets the tone for this supportive atmosphere. His love for Kung Fu is reflected through his benevolent character. Each month, he digs from his own pockets in order to keep our dojo running. He has no need to receive income through teaching us, because his satisfaction lies in our progress as his students. Our hard work and dedication is all the satisfaction that he needs. Through his classes I have learned not only the value of self-discipline, but the importance of sharing part of yourself with the people around you.

“You get out of Kung Fu what you put into it,” sifu Crisp says, as he calls for a spinning back kick, side kick, back fist, reverse punch combination, he walks my way. Now I know that I can nail each of these techniques, no problem, but as he stops and stands in front of me, my focus shifts, and nervous energy makes me skip a beat. “Turn,” he says. “Give me an iron butterfly. Move.” Now this was the most advanced kick that I knew at the time, and it’s not an easy one, but in sifu’s eyes, and he was right, I should have had it nailed by then. The first one was really good, but he wasn’t looking. “Move.” Right in front of him, no height, bad technique. I see him close his eyes and walk away. For the rest of class that day, re-gaining his confidence was all that was on my mind. Sifu Crisp’s noble and devoted character drives his students to crave success. His love for Kung Fu is eminent in his reactions as he observes our progress, and clearly communicates where we stand on his scale of hard work and achievement. As he walks around the dojo, he watches each move for precision with expectations of improvement since our last class.

An effective leader is someone who possesses the ability to lead while walking beside you. They teach you as they learn with you, they hold values that encompass a strong sense of integrity, and their knowledge is spread with a passion of guiding and supporting others. The most admirable qualities of Kim Crisp are his unending patience and energy. His love of teaching is evident in his leadership abilities. Every evening before our advanced Kung-Fu class, Kim teaches a group of children. Two of his students have mild autism and learning disorders. “It’s not fair!” screams one of them, every ten minutes or so. I am in awe as I watch Kim relate with these children. He is very calm and effective, and gains their undivided attention. There is one little girl that is absolutely adorable. She looks at Kim as though he is God, nodding her head, never missing a word that he says. He has a gift in his patience and ability to gain their attention and respect. He never raises his voice, threatens them, or shows any frustration, only a passion to help these children exceed their own desires.

There have been very few times in my personal life when one person has influenced me so much, that I wish that all the world could benefit from their character. What I have learned from my sifu goes far beyond the elements of martial arts, into the energy of life. He not only represents the most unique qualities of leadership, but he continuously puts himself aside to satisfy the needs of others. I am here today in honor of a man who not only taught me the valuable elements of Kung Fu, but helped me to bring my spirit back to life. Sifu Kim Crisp has taught me the strength of power, and the power of strength. Through Kung Fu, I have re-gained my confidence and peace of mind, and I owe it all to my sifu. I have changed as a person since Kim Crisp stepped into my life. He is the male role model that I never had growing up, and an infinite and irreplaceable source of inspiration. He has led me to conquer my own confidence and discipline, and to guide my own life in a promising direction.