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Beginning in 1975, Maria Warwick set out on her own to share what was then known as Ralph Castro's Kenpo Karate. Teaching from the prop room at the historic Weir theatre in Aberdeen, Washington. The venue was small, cramped, and had very low ceilings.
Martial Arts was just beginning to come into its own and was a popular activity for people looking to stay in shape.
Those variables, combined with the passion, teaching ability, and drive of Maria Warwick caused the class to quickly outgrow the venue. It became necessary to find another place to train.
A few of Maria's students seeing this dilemma, began seeking out suitable spaces to transform into a new home. As a show of devotion to their instructor and in respect for what she had shared thus far with them, Mike Skinner Sr., Barry Alexander, and also Rich Beeman located a defunct dry-cleaning business less than a block away from the Weir.
At zero cost to their instructor, they began to transform the space. Two large drums were required to be removed. The cost was only two rear automobile axles to remove them. While the space was being created, students trained at the site of the old Community Hospital. In retrospect, this building was literally crumbling around those brave enough to step onto the floor. Sometimes one must undertake risk in the pursuit of safety.
Mike Skinner Sr. and Barry Alexander take time out from the construction of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate's new location to get in some sparring time.
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Once every couple generations, a personality possesses the charisma and skill to share things with others in a way that ignites lifelong dedication and devotion. Maria Warwick was one such individual.
From 1975-1983, Maria was a localized force of nature in the self-protection industry. She promoted sixteen worthy individuals to the rank of Black Belt during this short time, many who continue to train to this day.
The first person she promoted was Mike Skinner Sr. in May of 1977. With the exception of a time where he was recovering from a back surgery, Mike remained at the school assisting others in the quest to advance their ranks until the school closed in 1983.
Mike Skinner Sr. becomes the first of many individuals promoted by Maria Warwick. He achieved his Black Belt on May 6, 1977.
Photo courtesy of Rich Beeman
A watermarked copy of Mike Skinner Sr's. Black Belt certificate from Maria Warwick
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
One of the qualities Maria Warwick attempted to instill in her students was that of loyalty. She taught at a time where it was unusual for a woman to be taken seriously, both as a business owner and as an equal with men. Despite these challenges, Maria excelled. Her students were well-respected on the tournament circuit and were well thought of in the Martial Arts community. She was building something extraordinary.
Class photo from 1978. Most of Maria Warwick's eventual Black Belts are pictured in this photo. How many can you name?
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Fate unfortunately would have other ideas. Maria began to suffer from a medical condition that would impact her ability to teach as effectively as she expected of herself and others expected of her.
Maria began dealing with severe headaches that impacted her vision, her balance, and her memory. To a person who had fought stereotypes, sexism, and the natural order of things, this was debilitating on many levels.
Several of her students did what they could to keep things afloat. Ray Warwick, Mike Skinner Sr., Sue Messenger, and Clay Micheau took over many of the teaching duties in the last couple years of the school's operation.
Eventually, Maria would be required to step away from teaching entirely to address her medical issues. Make no mistake, she left an indelible mark on the Martial Arts landscape of Western Washington.
As mentioned before, Maria promoted sixteen worthy individuals to the rank of Black Belt during her short tenure as an instructor of Shaolin Kenpo, which the system had rebranded to in 1981. Those names are listed below.
Maria would teach for a very short time between 1984-1986 in Puyallup, Washington after moving closer to quality options for medical care.
She would teach again between 1998-2000 after taking over Pacific Shaolin Kenpo. This will be more detailed in the next section of the history.
There are two other individuals whom Maria should be given credit for promoting to Black Belt. This remains a work in progress. Jason and Brandon Bodey had been promoted to Black Belt in 1999 when Maria Warwick was in control of the operation of this school with the assistance of Ben Galeana. These promotions are currently attributed to another instructor in the lineage who provided a substantial amount of their training, but who did not promote them to Black Belt.
Sadly, Maria would be taken from us in 2016. Everyone wants to know that their lives and their legacy matters. Maria was one of those whose legacy mattered very much. Many of those who trained at one time with her remain involved in Martial Arts.
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