Mr. Manas, a certified black belt, and martial arts club teacher has classes for Edison students on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the gymnasium at 6:30am to 7:30 am.
The Edison Martial Arts Club started only 7 years ago. Mr. Manas and a school aid named George (who no longer works here) were the originators of the club. Since George is gone, Mr. Manas teaches the class by himself.
Mr. Manas enjoys teaching the ten to fifteen students, and he has no problem coming early on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He doesn't ask much from the students other than they buy a uniform from the S.O store, for $25 dollars, or that they bring in their own if they have one.
Mr. Manas respects any previous ranking the student has had, which means that they are allowed to begin with the last belt he/she left off with.
Mr. Manas says, "Martial arts is a type of self-defense and street awareness." Ryu Kyu Kempo, a combination of traditional karate and self-defense, "gives you confidence, street awareness and lots of physical conditioning."