Bunno promotes youth leadership

By Jillian Jamison

GLADSTONE - The hot topic of the day at Superior Martial Arts in Gladstone is leadership and its benefits to youth, according to owner Lynette Bunno. Bunno is an ardent believer that helping children learn methods of building "confidence, concentration, self-esteem and self-discipline" leads to successful leadership in all areas of life.

"This is especially important for family harmony and understanding, and raising children [who] respect themselves and others, including parents, siblings and other family members," said Bunno. "The lesson of self-discipline, even for the youngest children, starts with their basic chores, tasks and responsibilities, so many of the nine basic steps children can take to grow as a leader are related to hygiene, cleaning their rooms, completing their homework and practicing their martial arts."

Toward that end, the "Leadership Chores List" has been published by the school, offering a means of enforcing positive precursors to leadership roles. Included with the list is a method of charting progress, with regard to duties and chores, and issues, which can be determined individually.

"The tangible nature of a chart makes the lesson and shared experience with a child much more meaningful," said Bunno, noting that individual results are monitored by parents and martial arts instructors, following which an instructor-parent meeting is held to best choose a course of action for each child with regard to leadership roles.

Superior Martial Arts will be offering a free trial lesson for children ages 6 and up who may be interested in martial arts. For more information about Superior Martial Arts, call 428-1118.