At our 2022 Worlds event, we announced the winners of our organization’s most prestigious awards. These awards allow us to recognize so many unsung leaders of the ATA. Below we have highlighted each of these awards and listed this year’s recipient. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners!

Sun Lee Service Award

This is a new award for 2022 and will be an annual award moving forward. The recipient is selected by Mrs. Sun Lee. This award is given to celebrate the leadership of an individual in the ATA who demonstrates exceptional philanthropy within one’s community, association, or other nonprofit organization.

Recipient: Chief Master Michelle Landgren-Lee.

Hall of Fame Awards

This annual award is presented to the honoree for unselfish dedication and outstanding effort in the growth of Songahm Taekwondo. This person is chosen by the Presiding Grand Master and Masters Council.

Recipients: Chief Master Scott Skiles, Chief Master Michael Wegmann, Senior Master Claudio Sotomayor

Songahm Special Service Award

This award is given as a result of a contribution to the Songahm system (i.e. the development of a training manual, Songahm forms, or any project that will affect generations to come). The recipient of this award is selected by the Master's Council.

Recipients: Senior Master Dometrius Hill, Senior Master Gonzalo Cabrera

International Adult Black Belt of the Year

The recipient of this award is selected from the Regional Awards nominations by the Master's Council. This person has set a strong example in his/her personal life, has maintained a martial bearing in one’s own training at school, regional, and national workouts, and is a strong supporter of regional events such as cheerfully serving as a judge at tournaments, and has made a recognizable effort to live according to the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo.

Recipient: Patricia Mills

International Jr. Black Belt of the Year

The recipient of this award is selected from the Regional Awards nominations by the Master's Council. This person has set a strong example in his/her personal life, has maintained a martial bearing in one’s own training at school, regional, and national workouts, and is a strong supporter of regional events such as cheerfully serving as a judge at tournaments, and has made a recognizable effort to live according to the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo.

Recipient: Richard Scott

Presiding Grand Master Soon Ho Lee Award of Honor

This award is given by the Presiding Grand Master to specifically chosen individuals who have demonstrated their superior leadership, loyalty to the ATA, and for their contributions to Songahm Taekwondo.

Recipients: Chief Master William Wacholz, Chief Master Al Dilegge

International Appreciation Award

This award is presented to the honoree for unselfish dedication and outstanding effort in the growth of the ATA. The recipient is chosen from the Regional Awards nominations by the Master's Council.

Recipient: Master Maria Jouan

International Instructor of the Year

This award is given to the Instructor who has set a strong example in his/her personal life, shown sincerity in teaching and developing his/her students, has fulfilled instructional obligations to the region and to the ATA, and made recognizable efforts to live according to the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo.

Recipient: Master Jonathan Hedrick

National School of the Year

This award is presented to the school that embodies the spirit of ATA. This school not only excels in student enrollment and retention but also is a pillar of support and integrity within its community.

Recipient: Sr. Master Michelle Pavlik & Master Kevin Pavlik

RTTL of the Year

The Regional Tournament Team Leader is the face of the tournaments in each ATA Region. This is volunteer position is responsible for approving the sanctions of all tournaments in their region and working with each tournament host in the planning process of each tournament. The RTTL is the official representative of Grand Master Lee and ATA Headquarters on the day of the event and ensures that each tournament is run within the framework of ATA Tournament Rules and standard operating procedures. The RTTL of the Year award is given to a person that has consistently demonstrated these qualities throughout the last tournament season. 

Recipient: Senior Master Julia Wegmann

Judge of the Year

Tournament judges are the lifeblood of the ATA Tournament Circuit. During ATA Tournaments, judges volunteer their time to help each ring run efficiently and within the ATA Tournament Rules. Judging can be a strenuous task both physically and mentally. Each ATA Region has nominated one judge from their region that has demonstrated fairness, a knowledge of the ATA Tournament Rules, a positive attitude, and a willingness to volunteer their time and energy to make each event run smoothly. The Judge of the Year award is selected from this pool of nominees and awarded to the tournament judge that has consistently demonstrated these qualities over the last tournament season. 

Recipient: Anna Rowan

2020-2021 Most Competitive School

The Most Competitive School Award is calculated based upon the following metrics: The number of competitors sent to regional, national, district, and world championship tournaments, the number of teams associated with their school, and the number of states, district, and world champion titles earned by members of each school. Points are assigned for each of these categories and this award is given to the full-time ATA School that has earned the highest point total over the last tournament season. 

Recipient: Master Tony Rosa

2020-2021 Most Competitive Club

The Most Competitive Club Award is calculated based upon the following metrics: The number of competitors sent to regional, national, district, and world championship tournaments, the number of teams associated with their school, and the number of states, district, and world champion titles earned by members of each school. Points are assigned for each of these categories and this award is given to the ATA Club that has earned the highest point total over the last tournament season. 

Recipient: Courtney Thuston

Data Entry Award

Recipient: Maryann Hill