From Long- Lewis Prattville
June Hero of the Month
For over fifteen years, April Bickhaus has worked in federal and state law enforcement. She has also been involved in martial arts programs for over twenty years and enjoys sharing defensive tact self-defense-defense skills with others. In 2014, she relocated to Prattville and opened a charitable martial arts school where she spent over four years. During this time, she also volunteered at local domestic violence shelters and held women’s self-defense clinics; all while continuing to work full time in law enforcement.
In 2022, she decided to partner with Grandview Family YMCA to offer reasonably priced karate classes to all ages and even those with special needs. April wanted to ensure that anyone in the community had access to these resources, share her passion for martial arts with others, and preserve the cultures in martial arts as well. Later that year, she was named the Isshinryu Hall of Fame’s Instructor of the Year and in 2023 she was promoted to 6th dan, also known as blackbelt, in Isshinryu Karate. This title makes her the highest ranking Isshinryu practitioner in Alabama; aside from her own instructor in Andalusia, Alabama. Despite these incredible honors, April remains humble, continues to push herself to meet personal goals, and is committed to sharing her knowledge with others. She has inspired many people throughout our community and she now has a foundation where women of any age can train alongside her.
