A local karate instructor continues to "break" his way to the top of the heap in the martial arts.

The list of impressive accolades attained by USMC Sgt. Dave Scott seemingly continues to grow by the second.This year alone, the head instructor of Keystone Karate in Lehighton registered several more superlative notches in his belt.At the absolute forefront of Scott's achievements was his selection as a member of Team USA at the World Championships held in Trinidad.On top of that, Scott was named 2014 Carbon County Breaking Champion, National Forms Champion, and an Inductee to the Legends of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year.If that wasn't enough, Scott, 37, of Lehighton, was selected in June as the Pennsylvania director of the

I.T.M.A. founded by Grandmaster Robert Kovaleski.In March, Scott opened his own martial arts school at the Pyramid Sports Performance Center, located on Ochre Street in Lehighton."I like what I'm doing," Scott said. "It doesn't feel like work."Scott, who has a full-time job, said he runs the school "pure.""I love what I do," he said. "The kids earn what they have on."Scott added that he owes a lot to Tom Wilson, director of the Pyramid Sports Performance Center.A 1995 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Scott is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do.Previously, he has been named 2013 Breaking and Weapons National Champion, and Inductee to the Legends of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Dedication to the Martial Arts; 2012 State Weapons Champion; National Fighting Champion; and 2011 State Weapons and Forms Champion.A pair of Scott's students also fared exteremly well in several recent local martial arts events.An orange belt, Will Everetts, 53, of Lehighton, took first in flying side kick; second in front jump kick; second in forms; third in sparring; and third in breaking at a tournament held recently at Split Rock Lodge in Kidder Township.If that wasn't enough, Everetts took first in forms and third in breaking at the Mahoning Valley tournament.Everetts, who has been with Keystone Karate for a little over a year, said he enjoys the "camaraderie, brotherhood, and family" atmosphere the school offers."It's like a family here," Everetts said. "I put in a lot of time, dedication, and discipline."In keeping with that tune, Everetts also has four grandchildren who are students at the school.Another of Scott's pupils is Tim Hillanbrand, 12, of Lehighton.Also an orange belt, Tim has been with Keystone Karate for about a year.In that time, he earned a first place in forms, and second in breaking, at the Carbon County Championships.A student at St. John Neumann Regional School in Palmerton, Tim said he was "really glad" to fare as well as he did."I really like this karate class; it's really cool," said Tim. "The instructors are really nice, I'm learning a lot, and having fun doing it."