COLE BAY—Students and staff of the St. Maarten Brazilian jiu-jitsu (SXM BJJ) Martial Arts School celebrated their winter graduation. The students showcased their skills through self-defense demonstrations, drills and sparring matches. Friends and family were invited into the training space to observe the group’s progress. Outstanding students were honored with belts, stripes and arm band rankings as well as achievement coins for their exceptional discipline, technical skills, improvement. These awards reinforced the program's core values of stewardship, resilience, perseverance, discipline, and patience. Achievement coins for BJJ technical excellence were awarded to Shelandre Paul, Maxime Rosa and Nathan Shepard, Sernik Porcasi and Rylan Benjamin. Coins for outstanding discipline were awarded to Emily Jurica-Wathey and Ixandro Jones Bautista and most improved to Angelo Gioia. Notable BJJ belt promotions include teenage Coaches Nakysha Jederon (Green/White) and Djahmar Euson (Orange/black and young “kid coach” Sernik Porcasi with an orange/black belt. Notable Muay Thai green arm band promotion was awarded to Shayne Gibbs-Claxton, the youngest athlete to achieve this rank. SXM BJJ prioritizes the development of students beyond physical techniques, emphasizing the use of martial arts for self-defense and organized competitions only. Street fighting and bullying are strictly prohibited. SXM BJJ nurtures an environment where students learn self-discipline, respect for others, resilience, and self-confidence. These qualities empower them to face challenges and navigate life with determination. SXM BJJ welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels to join their martial arts community. To register for classes or learn more, contact SXM BJJ at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via social media.
