Si Fu Preston Collins, Jr. went to Simon Gratz High School to the then Principal., Mr. Albert Jackson with a consept to teach 9th graders the martial arts. At first Si Fu Collins was rejected. But on October 31, 1989 Si Fu Collins held his first orientation and after voting on it., the original members named themselves the Fighting Dragons Martial Arts Team of Simon Gratz HS.
After training for a couple months, the Dragons competed at the Phila. National Karate Championships in 1990. Victor Johnson, 9th grader won the 13-15 yr old Sparring Championship. Jerome Barmore placed 1st in 16-17yr old Forms and Fighting Competition. His team mate, Rayfond Mills placed 2nd in each event behind him.
From January 1990 to present, the Fighting Dragons Martial Arts Team of S. Gratz HS competed in tournaments such as the Battle of Baltimore, New Boston Nationals, Keystone State Games, World Karate Championships in Belgium, the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and the District of Columbia State Championships. The Dragons were the first high school program to compete at the 1st Goodwill Martial Arts Games in Sydney, Australia in 1995. To this date the team has won over 2,000 trophys, 11 World Championships and over 1,600 National and Regional martial arts titles in Children, Junior and Adult Weapons, Forms, Fighting, Self-defense and Musical Forms divisions., traveling over 80,000 miles nationally and internationally. They've also participated in Full-contact Karate competitions amassing an impressive win-loss record.
The Dragons were also active in the community service., Feeding the homeless at churches and centers, collecting for toys, clothing and food drives. They have performed over 20,000 hours of community service and have the distinction of being the only martial arts school featured in the Philadelphia Promise, vol.1, for America's Promise for America's Youth. They were also awarded $10,000 for a "Drug-Free Schools" grant in 1991 (only receiving $2,600 due to the administration of Gratz at the time).
***To be Continued***
Here is a picture of the Original Fighting Dragons Martial Arts Team of Simon Gratz HS,
1989 to June 1990 school year. They combined to win 21 trophys in major martial arts
tournaments in 6 months, going on to win 72 total by September 1990. |
