About myself
Second Trip to Okinawa with Sensei Sal
My name is Russell Franklin Wilson Jr. I was born on the 25th of April in Vista, CA. I didn't have the best start to my life. The first 6 years of my life I was exposed to drugs, profanity, violence, and abuse at the hands of my biological parents. I missed a lot of school as a child, and my Dad spent most of those 6 years locked up. In 2003 I was officialy adopted by family friends named Lon and Sherri Mills and I truly call these people my parents. They changed the direction my life was heading and they shaped my destiny into what it is today. They put me into many programs like baseball, soccer, basketball and most importantly karate. I've done many things, and accomplished a lot since I was with my biological family. I started training with Sensei Sal in 2002, and on May 30th 2009 I tested for my Shodan and passed with Aileen Montano, Quanzae Bacari, Kasey Korbacher, and Spencer Tingzon. I am now a Sandan in Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate and a Shodan (1st degree) in Okinawan Kobudo (weaponry). I take a lot of pride in the work I do in the martial arts, and the people I train with. Every year I travel with My Sensei (Sensei Sal) to Okinawa, Japan to train under Shuguro Nakazato Sensei; I also travel to many other parts of the world to train in Karate.
I met my Sensei at the Boys and Girls Club when I was told about Karate classes there. I remember when I was about 6 years old the stories I heard about how mean and strict he was, but when I went to watch for the first time I realized he was the most gentle, giving person ever. I wanted to take the classes so badly, but I was afraid of how much it would cost. I realized a short time later that the classes were free if you were a member of the Boys and Girls Club. I've been with Sensei Sal ever since. He started his karate training the same exact way through the same exact Boys and Girls Club in 1989. I received the "Youth of the Year" award from the Boys and Girls Club, and even spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls club to share the story of my life and how the Club impacted me. In my speech I promised to one day give back to the community the way my Sensei has, and hopefully I'll make a difference in someone's life the way Sensei Sal did for me.
I was the 2010 and 2013 champion of the "Sabella Classic" a prestigous Karate tournament in Winterhaven, CA. I've competed in many Karate tournaments and excelled. I also hold a 4.0 GPA studying Criminal Justice at Mira Costa College. I'm a musician as well I play the flute, guitar, bass, steel drums, and piano, but I've played the flute the longest, 6 years now. I've been learning guitar for five years now, and I've played in a few bands. I started taking guitar lessons at the Vista Music Exchange in 2007. I started playing the steel drums sophomore year in the percussion ensemble at my high school. We mostly played carribean style music, and sometimes I even played flute with that group. Today I spend all my time between working for the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, and studying Criminal Justice with the intent to be a Police Officer.
I met my Sensei at the Boys and Girls Club when I was told about Karate classes there. I remember when I was about 6 years old the stories I heard about how mean and strict he was, but when I went to watch for the first time I realized he was the most gentle, giving person ever. I wanted to take the classes so badly, but I was afraid of how much it would cost. I realized a short time later that the classes were free if you were a member of the Boys and Girls Club. I've been with Sensei Sal ever since. He started his karate training the same exact way through the same exact Boys and Girls Club in 1989. I received the "Youth of the Year" award from the Boys and Girls Club, and even spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls club to share the story of my life and how the Club impacted me. In my speech I promised to one day give back to the community the way my Sensei has, and hopefully I'll make a difference in someone's life the way Sensei Sal did for me.
I was the 2010 and 2013 champion of the "Sabella Classic" a prestigous Karate tournament in Winterhaven, CA. I've competed in many Karate tournaments and excelled. I also hold a 4.0 GPA studying Criminal Justice at Mira Costa College. I'm a musician as well I play the flute, guitar, bass, steel drums, and piano, but I've played the flute the longest, 6 years now. I've been learning guitar for five years now, and I've played in a few bands. I started taking guitar lessons at the Vista Music Exchange in 2007. I started playing the steel drums sophomore year in the percussion ensemble at my high school. We mostly played carribean style music, and sometimes I even played flute with that group. Today I spend all my time between working for the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, and studying Criminal Justice with the intent to be a Police Officer.