CT school security officer opens martial arts studio

October 15, 2019

Joe Amarone, owner of Amarone

WALLINGFORD CT October 15 2019 — As a security guard at Sheehan High School, Joseph Amarone is known as “Security Joe.” Many are unaware that the longtime resident is a martial arts master who recently moved his studio to town.

Amarone Kempo Academy, 60 Church St., Yalesville, is a martial arts self-defense studio with students ranging in age from 5 to 60. The studio operated in North Haven for the past 18 years.

“I was looking for a bigger location, I live in Wallingford,” Amarone said. “I figured it would be a great time to start looking into coming back here.”

Amarone has lived in Wallingford for 25 years and worked at Sheehan as a security guard for 18 years. About half his martial arts students live in Wallingford, others come from as far away as New Haven and Shelton.

Hamden resident Chris Popolizio and his children have taken classes for the past six months. Amarone receives reports from parents and teachers on how the child is doing at home and school, which factors into the martial arts lessons. Popolizio said it has made the difference with his son.

“It helps keep him focused in school a little more because he knows he needs to,” Popolizio said.

Kempo is a style of martial arts that focuses on self-defense, with students learning how to fight off an attacker. Although he teaches different forms of martial arts, Amarone said he decided to teach Kempo because of its foundation of respect, self-control, and self-discipline.

Some of the children struggle with ADD, Autism and ADHD. Amarone feels the classes have helped.

“I really do believe that it’s helped kids become better in life,” he said. “That’s all I can hope for. It’s a great job for that reason, knowing that you’re giving back and that you’re helping to change people’s lives for the better.”