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..........Raven
Kenpo Ju-Jitsu..........
Family Tree
...Hall of Honor...
SIJO ART LAPHAM
With martial arts training beginning in 1973 when he was only 10 years old, Sijo Lapham now holds Black Belt ranks in various systems including Chinese Kenpo, Ju-Jitsu, and Tang Soo Do. One of only three people to ever earn a Black Belt from his first 'official' instructor, Paul Botelho, Sijo continued his Kenpo training and was awarded second degree by a 10th degree 'instructor' before being introduced to a TRUE Grandmaster in the form of Bill Gregory. Grandmaster Gregory was one of Professor Nick Cerio's original black belts who later became a disciple of Daniel Pai of White Dragon Kung Fu fame. Sijo trained under this martial arts legend until Grandmaster's untimely death in November of 2001. Sijo was recently awarded his 9th degree by the North American Grandmasters Council, shortly after his induction into the Hawaiian Martial Arts International Society's Hall of Fame as 'Master of the Year'. Aside from his various Black Belt ranks, Sijo has also trained in many other Martial Arts including Judo, Modern Arnis, Pai Lum and others. He is recognized as the founder of Raven Kenpo Ju-Jitsu through the prestigious Nindo Ryu International, and is the Kempo Ju-Jitsu Director for the World Budo Alliance. Sijo Lapham was featured on the 1997 set of Martial Arts Masters trading cards as well as in the 1998 edition of Who's Who in the Martial Arts, and was also the 1997 Massachusetts State Champion in the Men's soft style (Kung Fu) forms.
MONIQUE GUAY
Training in the Raven system began in June of 1993 for Monique, with the opening of Sijo Lapham's first commercial dojo, The Raven Academy of Self defense in Fall River, Mass. Monique proved to be a quick study, remembering virtually any form or combination thrown at her, even from other systems, such as Ed Parker's American Kenpo and Pai Lum Kung Fu. Monique moved up the ranks with ease, and not only became an assistant instructor (gaining the title of Sije, or in Chinese, "older sister"), but also became the co-captain of Team Raven, one of the most popular demo teams in the area at that time. Monique tested for Black Belt on a cold and rainy day in November, 1996. She is the first person to receive a full first degree in the Raven System, and therefore also holds the unique title of Premiere Shodan.
GARY CHHIM
Apprentice Black Belt Gary Chhim is a natural-born martial artist. From his first meeting with Sijo Lapham in June of 1993, Gary exhibited incredible flexibility, power, and learning capability, even at the young age of eight. He learned as quickly as his older contemporaries, even keeping up with the talented Sije Monique, all the way to Black Belt level. Also a co-captain of Team Raven, Gary preformed like a pro in front of thousands of spectators at the popular Fall River Celebrates America event for several years running. Gary never showed the slightest bit of nervousness that most children his age would have been overcome by. Being only 11 at the time of his Black Belt test, Gary was awarded an apprentice Black Belt where he will stay until he is old enough to be awarded his first degree. At this time, Gary is focusing on his high- school responsibities and will hopefully return to continue his training in the Raven System.
KEN BRYAN JR.
Sifu Bryan began training in the Raven System in December of 1993. His dedication and hard work soon garnered him a roomfull of tournament trophies, mostly for first place. By the time he reached the level of Green Sash, he was awarded the title of Sihing (Assistant Instructor, or in Chinese, "older brother"). Mr. Bryan was awarded the coveted rank of Black Belt in February of 1997, after a grueling two-day exam. The first day included submitting a thesis, a five mile run, a marathon of basic techniques, specialized push-ups, and a task to overcome a personal fear. The second day, Ken had to execute every combination, drill, and form (empty hand and weapon) in the Raven System up to that point, as well as full-contact sparring and self- defense against various scenarios. As a testament of Kens dedication to the art, Sijo Art Lapham awarded him the title of Sifu (Teacher or in Chinese, "Father").
SIFU TOM BRADY
Tom Brady was Sijo Lapham's very first official student. They started training together in the Summer of 1980 in a small garage on Harrison Street, Fall River, MA. After a few months under Sijo's instruction, Mr. Brady was brought to the Fall River Institute of Kenpo Karate where Sijo trained and served as the assistant instructor, under Sifu Paul Botelho. After creating some combinations to add to Mr. Botelho's curriculum, Sijo Lapham and Mr. Brady began the formulation of what would later be named Raven Kenpo Ju-Jitsu. When Sijo opened his first commercial school in 1993, Mr. Brady was awarded the title of 'Sihing', becoming the first assistant instructor of the system. Over the years, Mr. Brady helped Sijo either with ideas for new techniques or to offer himself up as a human punching bag to make sure the techniques worked. When Sijo broke his back in a 1997 automobile accident, it was Sifu Brady who continued to teach at the school and helped keep the doors open, and to this day helps out whenever his schedule permits, to further promote the art. For his diligent effort and constant assistance in the teaching of the system, Sifu was awarded his first degree black level on May 9th, 2003.
JOHN FOLEY
Mr. Foley began his Raven Kenpo Ju-Jitsu training under the guidance of Sifu Ken Bryan in 1997, but chose to train under Sijo once he ready to test for his Yellow Level. Always commited to perform at the peak of his ability, Mr. Foley fought his way through the ranks while he continued to prove himself as a talented tournament fighter as well, accumulating a houseful of trophies for his efforts. After expressing a sincere interest in teaching the Raven system, Mr. Foley was awarded the title of Sihing and immediately embraced the responsibilities that title commands. After passing the two-day Black Level exam in February of 2003, Mr. Foley was awarded both his first degree and Sifu title at a special banquet held on May 9th of that same year. He is currently attending college, and travels back to the Somerset area whenever possible to continue his training. He is looking forward to becoming a Chief Instructor in the future
JON MELLOR
Jon Mellor's training began in 1999 at a weekly after-school program that Sijo was spearheading in the Fall River Public School system. However, once a week wasn't nearly enough for this dedicated 11 year old, so when Sijo announced that he would start teaching at his garage in Somerset, Ma, Jon followed. Not only did he follow, but he rarely missed a class as he climbed through the ranks. A member of Team Raven, the official demo team for the Raven Academy, Jon became Sihing sometime after revealing his desire to someday teach the system. He tested with John Foley and was also awarded his first degree and Sifu title during the May 9th banquet of 2003. At 15 years old, Sifu Jon was the youngest to ever hold the title of Sifu in Raven Kenpo Ju-Jitsu. This is a reflection of his immense dedication and loyalty to the system.
TOM GERO
Originally a student of Ken Bryan, Tom began his training in 1999 shortly after Ken had opened his short-lived kwoon. He earned his green level under Ken. After Ken's school had closed Tom asked if he and his wife Nancy could continue their training in the Raven system under the system's founder, Sijo Art Lapham, at his private training facility in Somerset, Ma. Tom continued his training religiously and followed Sijo into the founder's next few commercial locations. Tom garnered several first place tournament trophies in the handicapped division as he continued through the ranks until finally testing for Shodan in February of 2006.
NANCY GERO
Nancy started training under Ken Bryan just a few short months after her husband Tom began. Following her husband to Sijo Lapham's private kwoon. Above all other students, Nancy has shown an unswerving dedication to learning the system as best as she can, which has earned her several tournament trophies, and of course, her Shodan rank, which she tested for with her husband in February of 2006. This is an incredible achievement considering Nancy suffers from Cerebral Palsy, yet Nancy still trains hard and refuses to let anything get in her way.
Click on the sashes below for the lists of students who have achieved those ranks.
