Every year at our in house tournament we present our top instructor with the RICHARD TAYLOR AWARD for Instructor of the year. The recipient of this award must show dedication to the art of teaching as well as commitment to their own training. This years winner went above and beyond the responsiblities asked of her.

Neesa Severance, age 16, of Westford, was presented with the "Richard Taylor, Instructor of the Year Award"
 
Our guest of honor to present this to her was Richard Taylor himself. Richard Taylor is an athlete and scholar. In 1959 he was captain of the ski team at Dartmouth College and won the National 30 km Championship in 1960. While
serving our country in the Army he placed 6th in the World Cup Biathlon. In 1964 Mr. Taylor earned his place as Captain of the United States Olympic Cross-Country Ski Team, and represented our country at the Olympics in
Innsbruck, Austria.

The Fullbright Program, one of the most prestigous academic awards programs worldwide, awarded Mr. Taylor a Fullbright Fellowship to study at the University of Kiel in Germany before he went on toearn his PhD at Yale in 1968.
 
Mr Taylor's hard work and dedication are a testiment to his success as a teacher. He is the perfect example of the values we strive to give our students everyday.

Neesa also won The Rachel Award and won first place in her division for sparring!!