South Philly Instructors

JASON HELMER
Jason Helmer started his Martial Arts training in early of 1998. He started out in a class of 20 Adult students or more. His instructor, Michael Semeriglia 6th degree, saw special talent in his student Jason, at the rank of blue belt, and began to train him on how to become an instructor. At the rank of 1st Kyu Brown belt Jason then joined the staff of his instructor, and became Manager of both the Haddon Heights and South Philly Locations. On June 1st 2002, Jason was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt. Jason is also a certified black belt by the WKKA. He was the only student from his class of 20 students who achieved his goal of Black Belt. As of August 4th 2003, Jason then became the Owner and Head Instructor of the AmeriKick South Philly location. Jason is still in active training under his Senior Instructor, Sensei Mike Semeriglia, and was currently promoted to 2nd degree Black Belt on November 12th, 2005.

DOMINICK SOUKHAPHONH
Dominick started karate in the summer if 1994. He started his training with Sensei Michael Semeriglia in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. June 12, 1999 he achieved his ultimate goal when he received his black belt at the age of twelve. Two years later, on December 15th of 2001 he then received his first degree black belt. Finally, he tested in a recent black belt test in the spring of 2005. He received his second degree on May 17, 2005. He currently trains under Sensei Michael, who now has an Amerikick karate school in Haddon Heights, New Jersey.
In Dominick’s early years as an advance belt, he had always dreamt of becoming a World Champion. Names like Chris Milaris, Nick Perdunn, and Karian McNulty influence Dominick in pursuing his dream. However, what influenced him more was a black belt what read “NBL 1st.” With this dream, Dominick was determined to take his world title. Through hard training and support from his friends, July of 2005, he flew out to New Orleans to the Slugfest Nationals, WSKF World Finals. From beginning to the end, Dominick finally achieved what he desired the most, a World Title in the 16–17 Open Weapons division. He now competes in different national and international tournaments across the country.