United Martial Arts Centers awards $4,500 in scholarships

United Martial Arts Centers held its 25th annual Awards Banquet on Friday, Jan. 10, at the Mansion at Colonial Terrace.

Close to 300 friends, family members and staff celebrated the dedication, commitment and excellence of students who were awarded their Black Belt Certification and other yearly awards.

Student of the Year went to Kevin Andreas; Family of the Year was presented to Marcin Luc and family; and Instructor or the Year went to Sebastian Astorino.

This year UMAC also began a scholarship program to help their students offset the cost of college. The students who were awarded the scholarships were Elizabeth Verboys, Steven Chanat and Sebastian Astorino.

Potential recipients had to fill out an application, write essays, get recommendations and be personally interviewed.

Each student received $1,500 check.

Over the past 25 years, UMAC has raised more than $600,000 for charity.

“From the day we opened our doors in 1995 my wife Teresa and I decided that we wanted to give back to the community we lived in. This year we are celebrating our 25th year in Warwick, New York.” said Grand Master Edmund Ciarfella Jr., owner and founder of United Martial Arts Centers.

UMAC presently has three locations in Orange County - Warwick, Monroe and Middletown - with nine other locations in New York State.

“I am proud to say I will be able to leave a legacy when I am gone," Ciarfella added. "My daughter Danielle Ciarfella runs the Warwick location, my son Ed John Ciarfella runs the Middletown location and Jason Bender runs Monroe. Our purpose is to provide the communities we serve with an unforgettable place to connect with your family and friends and to have fun and an amazing martial arts experience.”

For more information, visit www.umacenters.com.