About Sensei Gina

    In 1986, at the age of 22, Sensei Gina M. Pavicich always had an interest in Martial Arts. She began her training in a traditional style called Butokukan Karate under the second degree black belt Tony Steffani, under Master Robert Hill. After four years of hard work and pure dedication she had earned the ranking of a Brown belt.  Within those years the discipline of the art had changed her life and outlook on so much. The way she carried herself, relationships with others, and it had even given her goals to reach in life. Karate had become a major part in herself and it flowed through her veins with passion. Butokukan had become a representation of whom she really was.

    Unfortunately her love of the art had to put at a short halt. The desire to grow and raise a family had surpassed the love of the karate and life seemed to move on. Raising two beautiful children and being married left her busy and to put her love for the art to the side.

    As the years passed and her children grew, they began to show an interest in karate as well at the ages of seven and ten. She jumped back into the arts in the year of 2004, learning the style of traditional Okinawa Kenpo under fourth degree black belt Sensei Kent Jones in both Kobudo and Karate; under C. Bruce Heilman president of the International Karate Kobudo Federation (IKKF). In the year of 2007 she had earned a Brown belt in this style as well and was already teaching for the Young Champions Karate Organization in Pueblo Colorado, later becoming the Boy and Girls Club of America. Meanwhile she also learned and studied kickboxing for two years.

    In 2008 Sensei Gina M. Pavicich continued with Okinawa Kenpo under Sensei David M. Armstrong, third degree black belt in Okinawa Kenpo and Kobudo. He also studied Wado Ryu and Judo, was a student of Shihan Otto Johnson and Marcus DeValentino, and a member of the Devalentino Shudokan Schools International (DSSI). DSSI is a reputable Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo school which was established in 1992 by Kyoshi Marcus DeValentino; student of the late Grand Master Odo and founder of Okinawa Kenpo Karate.

    In 2009 Sensei Gina earned her first degree black belt in Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo. Continuing her training with Sensei Dave M. Armstrong until mid 2010 when he was unexpectedly deployed to Greece. With this event about to take place, he left her in charge for a year. Plan changed however and Sensei Dave announced that he would not be returning to the school. Therefore in 2011 it was also announced that Sensei Gina would take over Faith Martial Arts and would now be announced as the new owner and head Instructor.

    April 2012 Sensei Gina M. Pavicich achieved her second degree ranking. This time however it was under Kyoshi Marcus DeValentino, founder of the DSSI. She continues to this day running Faith Martial Arts as a proclaimed DSSI school and is the Colorado Branch Shibucho (director) for DeValentino Shudokan Schools International.