News Flash

COOKEVILLE – World Tai Chi and Qigong Day was more than a day of free demonstrations. It was also a time of awards and recognition.

Several came together to celebrate the annual event on May 30 at Cane Creek Recreation Center along with martial arts instructor Nikki Desch and Cookeville Leisure Services recreation programmer Sally Herren.

Among the honorees was Teddy Spivey, who received the Student of the Year award.

“Teddy never stops practicing and always wants to gain more knowledge about the art of Tai Chi,” Desch said.

Spivey was also recognized for his recent certification to teach Tai Chi.

His mother, Cathy Spivey, was honored as Mother of the Year for “always being supportive of her son,” Desch said.

Desch teaches Tai Chi and several other martial arts and self-defense classes at Cane Creek Recreation Center. She herself recently received the honor of sixth degree black belt.

She dedicated this year’s World Tai Chi and Qigong Day to one of her students, Barbara Sandlin, who passed away recently.

“Barbara loved to practice Tai Chi and rarely missed a class,” Desch said.

This was the first year that Herren planned the annual event.

“It was nice to see people come together and practice these healing martial arts, especially in this uncertain time,” she said.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is normally held on the last Saturday of April. Classes are offered regularly at Cane Creek Recreation Center. For more information, call 931-526-7393 or visit www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls.