Simu Victoria DiMaggio started at NBWK in July of 2016 on the recommendation of a friend. After her first class, she was hooked and has been training ever since. While she started training for the health benefits, the many other advantages of being a member of NBWK became quickly apparent. During the course of her training, she has met many wonderful people whom she now calls great friends, and one, even by the name of husband. Thus, Victoria's title of honor as "Simu," which means "wife of Sifu." As the training became more rigorous, Victoria learned that she had gained strength, in both physical and mental forms, as well as more courage to try new things and meet new challenges head on in all aspects of life. Apart from her training, Victoria's favorite part of being a member of NBWK is watching her kung fu family grow, both as martial artists and people. Victoria hopes to continue learning, developing, and advancing in her training. She hopes to help others to do the same in order to meet and exceed their goals.
SiHing Michael DeVaux first met Sifu Michael DiMaggio at seven years old during an after school kung fu program at Quashnet Elementary School. He began his formal training a few years later with Sifu's kung fu school which, at that time, was named USA Kung Fu Academy. SiHing Michael remained dedicated to his kung fu training from ten years old all the way through to college graduation from UMass Amherst. After building a life of his own after college, he found his way back to kung fu as an adult this time. The challenges of a pandemic brought the world together online, and Michael was able to rejoin Sifu, this time as NBWK Cape Cod, and resume his kung fu training via Zoom classes. SiHing Michael's work ethic didn't waiver as he started from the beginning to earn back his rank. He believes one of his biggest weaknesses is weight and that kung fu has taught him discipline that he has carried over to other elements in his life, including remaining healthy. Even while living in Somerset and making the drive to the Cape, SiHing Michael honored his own commitment to train with Sifu and, ultimately, earned his black sash in 2021. He hopes to help other realize their goals through training, as Sifu has done for him.
Coach Evelyn Whittington's relationship with NBWK Cape Cod began in 2019 as a parent when she enrolled her daughter in Juniors Kung Fu classes. It only took two classes on the sidelines for Coach Evey to join her daughter on the mat though. She wanted to support her daughter, and without being an active person at the time, she felt the struggle. That struggle was part of the lesson she hoped to model for her daughter though- she wanted to teach her that when something is hard, one shouldn't give up. Coach Evey felt that the energy and love was palpable in the room right from the beginning, and that feeling also encouraged her to continue on. After two years in the kwan now, she has taken that struggle and turned it into a passion and says she is in love with training. She has grown into her current position as a coach and serves an important role at NBWK. She hopes to help the kids gain confidence and find their shine through kung fu, just as she did. Earning sashes is important to her as it represents her sacrifices to make positive change. Coach Evey views what she has learned at NBWK as a gift- the gift of finding herself outside of her role to others as a mother, fiance, or friend. She is learning to balance the yin and the yang- the black and white dragons- in all areas of her life and applies her kung fu training on and off the mat. She hopes to continue to change the lives of others, as well as her own, through kung fu training and to accomplish earning her black sash through her effort. Coach Evey looks forward to a lifelong commitment to NBWK.
SiHing Clayton Burke started at NBWK in 2016, having been friends with Simu Victoria who recommended the class to him. He had tried martial arts when he was much younger but was never able to stick with it for various reasons, primarily being that he was not ready to commit to the arts. The environment of the school was very welcoming and open, and this encouraged him to keep coming back every week, and he met each new challenge of training with determination. This time, SiHing Clayton was committed, working all the way up to his black sash and becoming a disciple. He continues to prove that commitment now by teaching his own class in the school one day per week and takes pride in the dedication and results of his students.
Sijay Sydney Pinhack