Andre Leaureaux

Eleven-year-old Andre Leaureaux, member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, has been selected as junior instructor at his karate dojo, Original Okinawan Karate of Holt, LLC.

As junior instructor, Leaureaux will assist in teaching beginner and intermediate karate classes. He will assist in a monthly dojo
(when students move to the next belt/rank) testing, and receive specialized training devoted to junior instructors.

In April 2011, at age 7, Leaureaux began karate lessons in the Eagles Nest Tribal Gym, under the direction of Sensei Greg Morales. Leaureaux trained under Morales for three years, reaching various ranks until receiving his junior black belt in early 2014.

Leaureaux took a six-month break from karate and then joined the OOKH dojo in Holt, Mich. in August 2014.

Depending on the karate student’s rank, specific katas are given that must be mastered before moving to the next belt. When the sensei feels the student is ready for the next belt, they are notified of the next testing date.

In order to move to the next rank, the student must test to demonstrate mastery of the katas in front of sensei. Leaureaux will be assisting with each testing.

Leaureaux is part of the youth karate program for ages 5 to 13. As junior instructor, he helps teach students aged 5 to 9.

Before beginning as junior instructor, Leaureaux said what he was looking most forward to was helping teach kids.

Leaureaux is a 6th grade student at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy.