MARTIAL ARTS HELP TEACH VALUES

Mike Simmons uses martial arts to teach kids values.

Simmons, the creative director of St. Francis Medical Center's marketing department, founded the knights of St. Michael Martial Arts Team at St. Mary's parish in 1989 with five kids.

Today the team has 40 members ranging in age from 8 to 20.

"I saw a need for kids to have a moral base from which to protect themselves against a lot of the negative moral influences that are thrown at them," Simmons said.

The free martial arts lessons provide "a good hook" to interest youngsters, he said. Then the lessons start.

The teaching keys in on four main values: faith, love, respect and courage. "I think if you've got those four things, you'll probably make it through life," Simmons said.

Since 1989, he estimates 150 kids have taken the classes, which meet every Saturday morning from 9 to 11 at St. Mary's School gym.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Simmons said.

Pat Miller, volunteer manager at St. Francis Medical Center, admires Simmons' kindness.

"He serves as a wonderful role model to these kids, who see a volunteer in action," Miller said. "He teaches because he loves to teach and be with these kids."

In addition to the martial arts classes, Simmons has also served as master of ceremonies for the Easter Seals telethon for the last five years and emceed the St. Mary's School dinner auction for the last six years.

He is a Eucharistic minister at Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, and participates in the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Francis Medical Center for an hour every Wednesday.