Desert Fencing Academy

Hi to all,

And happy Valentine’s Day!

Firstly, so everyone knows, the next fencing tournament is Saturday, February 16, at Harvey Mudd College. Map and directions are on the DFA website.

During the Christmas holidays, Aaron Fagan came back home from Vassar and fenced with us as did Linden Ballen, who is currently at Embry-Riddle in Prescott, Arizona. It was great to see both young men again, hear about their adventures in college, and have them fence with us. Linden drove back to the desert from Prescott to fence in the COD tournament on January 19 and took 8^th place! And, Linden has been accepted to the Air Force Academy and will begin his academic career there in September!

Ann Barber, (Max’s mom), competed in her first tournament on January 19 at COD! Ann started fencing in September and her weapon is epee. She takes lessons twice a week and is at DFA and COD to spar whenever her work schedule permits. It’s fun to watch her fence, especially when she’s fencing against son Max.

And another parent, Mike Lindley, is taking epee lessons on Saturdays, while son Jackson takes sabre lessons.

Our Junior Olympians, Masaki Yamada and Gretchen Bueermann, sabre, and Max Barber, epee, will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, February 15-18. This will be Masaki’s and Gretchen’s third J.O.’s and the first for Max.

DESERT FENCING ACADEMY

CELEBRATES ITS

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

That’s right, DFA is celebrating its five year anniversary!!! I am so pleased, proud and excited!

My thanks to all you parents and fencers. It’s thanks to you all and your support that DFA has been in business these past five years and bringing fencing to our desert community.

We’ll have a birthday party for DFA on Saturday, February 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for cake, coffee and reminiscing.