Coalition Spotlight for Summer 2014!

Our Coalition spotlight for our summer 2014 issue of Prevention for Putnam is Master Paul Melella from the United Martial Arts Center! Master Melella's life purpose is "To be an inspirational leader. To enjoy a healthy - vital life of love, gratitude, passion and contribution. I will do this by living my life to its full potential, leading by example and sharing my specialized knowledge. I will do this for myself, my family and the students I teach."

Positive youth development and community leadership are key protective factors when working to prevent drug use and abuse amongst our youth. One member of our Putnam County community, who visited with the Coalition this past quarter several times, to share his message of strength and positive self identity is Master Paul Melella!

Master Melella is a 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a former National Level Competitor, coach and an avid practitioner. He has been training since 1982 and works diligently to share his specialized knowledge and passion with as many people as he can. He continues to train daily and is under the tutelage of Grandmaster Byung Min Kim where he visits him on a weekly basis.

Master Melella Jr. began his training at the age of seven years old. He had a challenge with a childhood bully that lived on his block, rode the same school bus and was in the same 3rd grade class as him. After months of being bullied, his mother enrolled him in a Martial Arts school. Secretly training in the art of Tae Kwon Do for six months, he was confronted once again by his childhood bully. After trying to avoid the situation, he finally had the confidence to stand up to the bully. That bully never picked on him ever again, but ironically became his childhood best friend and later Master Melella became the best man in his wedding. Master Melella uses that experience as a driving force to help other children become self-confident so they are not “easy targets” for bullies.

Starting his school, United Martial Arts Center located in Carmel, nearly from scratch, with only thirty members, and with the help of one of his Martial Arts mentors Grand Master Edmund Ciarfella, he was able to reach number one ranked Martial Arts school Program in the country. Paul since then has been featured in Martial Arts World Magazine as an “Emerging Leader” in the Martial Arts Professional Industry.

Each year Master Melella donates over $20,000 of scholarships to local schools so children can benefit from his martial arts and leadership character development programs. He donates his personal time to travel to local schools to educate children and faculty about bullying and developing leadership.
His school, UMAC Carmel, has won numerous national awards including, "School of the Year" and “Top Ten Martial Arts Schools”, by industry organizations. In 2013 he was nominated for Putnam County’s “40 Under 40 Trailblazers Award", a prestigious award honoring young professionals in Putnam County who demonstrate exemplary leadership and who pave the way for others to follow. 

If YOU are interested in joining UMAC, please call 845.225.0008 or email info@umaccarmel.com