This year we coincidentally had two major milestones for the National Karate Schools. One of course is the 50th Anniversary of the National Karate organization and the other is the 20th Anniversary of the South Elgin National Karate! We didn’t want this special day for our South Elgin martial arts school to get lost in the shadow of the 50th Anniversary so Director Michael Drescher organized a 20th Anniversary bash for the South Elgin karate students that will not be forgotten! This fun karate event included bouncy houses, ninja warrior courses, special seminars, karate instructors making cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, and a food truck! We’d expect nothing less for our devoted students at the top martial arts school in Illinois!
It was fitting that Mr. Drescher organized the karate event because he was one of the first students to attend the South Elgin National Karate school 20 years ago! He had already been a student at our Bartlett location for a few years and when we opened the South Elgin school, which was closer to his home, he started attending there. It has been a great pleasure to work with Dr. Drescher in maintaining the top martial arts school around!
Below is a picture of those early days with the first crop of South Elgin youth martial arts students. Mr. Drescher is pictured in the red uniform. And behind him is Ms. Oie who is also a long time instructor at the South Elgin National Karate school. Other notable students in the picture include Ms. Oie’s brother Jonathan (front left) who is now a policeman, behind him is Mr. Drescher’s sister Maddie who works at a law firm. On the opposite side – to the left of Mr. Nelson are Mr. Nelson’s children Hannah and Thomas. To the right of Mr. Nelson you have Mr. Hutson’s daughter Alexis in the blue uniform. These are great memories!
The early days of the South Elgin National Karate School with the first students.
In closing, I would like to include the message that Mr. Drescher sent out to his students after the 20th Anniversary celebration…
“As we reflect on the incredible celebration of our 20th-anniversary party, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for making this journey so rewarding and memorable.
Mr. Drescher and Mr. Nelson
To our dedicated martial arts students and their families, your unwavering support over the past two decades has been the cornerstone of our success. Your trust in us, your dedication to learning, and your commitment to personal growth inspire us every day.
To my exceptional staff, your hard work, dedication, and passion for martial arts have been instrumental in running the karate school smoothly. Your support and contributions are deeply appreciated.
A special thank you goes out to my mom. Your guidance and love have been invaluable. Thank you for all you.
I must also express my profound gratitude to Master Cris Nelson, whose mentorship and unwavering support have been a driving force in my life. From the moment I walked into National Karate 24 years ago, you’ve been a mentor, a boss, and a cherished friend.
Last night’s celebration was a testament to the incredible community we have built together. I am excited to embark on the next 20 years of this journey with all of you by my side. Here’s to many more years of growth, learning, and martial arts excellence!
Thank you all once again for being a part of our South Elgin National Karate School family. Your support means the world to us.”
With heartfelt gratitude and warm regards,
Michael Drescher
The South Elgin students and families at the 20th Anniversary Celebration!
