Gabriel McPhee

Gabriel was born October 27, 1998 in St. Joseph's General Hospital in Comox. At the age of two, his family moved to Nanaimo and his brother, Morgan, was born when Gabriel was three. During kindergarten, Gabriel was inspired by the mother of his friend to grow his hair out for cancer, and make it into a wig. This brought some turmoil in the form of bullying into the otherwise peaceful life of a child.

Entering Grade Two, Gabriel was still faced with bullying for the length of his hair. His mother sought to give him a way to deal with his emotions, and knowing that his Aunt was a black belt, enrolled him at Shima Karate. Karate helped release some tensions that had been built up in his young life, and Gabriel decided that he enjoyed this life-changing Martial Art.

As Gabriel gradually progressed in belts, he started to realize that Karate was notjust a way to deal with problems, but also a way to make friends and learn valuable life skills. He met many people that remain close to him to this day, and is grateful for the opportunities that Karate has given him to grow as a person.

After being offered a position assisting with classes as a Brown Belt Black Stripe, Gabriel accepted and began an enjoyable teaching position where he hopes to pass some of the lessons taught to him on to the next generation of Black Belts.

Approaching the beginning of Grade 12, Gabriel enters his tenth year of Karate training. He hopes Karate will remain a part of him for the rest of his life, as it remains a positive aspect of his life every single day.

"There is a time for fun, and a time for training." Senpai Scott