Mountain Karate Academy, Lehighton, recently tested six students for black belt status.

The students Alex Hauck, Jerry Hauck, Mary Grace Collins, Kyle Collins, Tim Hauck and Rachel Warren were video-recorded and the disk was sent to Pittsburgh for review by Grandmaster Kanzler, head of the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association.All six students were approved and they were awarded their black belts at a ceremony that took place on July 21.Mountain Karate has been a charter school with the EUSAIMAA since 1990, and recognized as Charter School of the Year for Pennsylvania in 2008.All students are encouraged to join this organization that has membership in 56 countries around the world. All black belts are required to be certified with the EUSAIMAA, which means their black belt is recognized internationally.Following the ceremony, the students were feted with a small reception at the school.