Michael Porco Jr. (above), who began his martial arts training 16 years ago under his father, recently was promoted to 3rd degree black belt, while Diane Baumer and Silvia Porco (below, from left) were promoted to 2nd degree black belt.

Michael, a 1994 graduate of Newtown High School and 1998 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, has been teaching at the Newtown Academy of Karate in Sandy Hook. His father, incidentally, is also a 3rd degree black belt. Diane Baumer and Silvia Porco have trained at the Newtown Academy of Karate for 14 years.