By Judy Christie

When Lt. Cmdr. Tony Negron retired as a Navy oceanographer in 2003, he “didn’t want just to play golf or pickleball. When I got out, I wanted to do something to help young people,” he said.

These days, Negron, pictured, is known as “The Commander” in the worldwide lightsaber sport community and spends his time changing young lives through a futuristic version of the more conventional saber fencing he did in college.

After a second career as a senior naval Junior ROTC instructor, Negron, 68, became interested in lightsaber fighting, which originated in the Star Wars movie in 1977 and uses martial arts training and fighting techniques from different sword arts.  

The Life Member of MOAA started the Aiken Saber Academy in South Carolina in 2018 and has built an international social media following while growing teen leaders in person. In addition to training students weekly, using a rigorous ranking and testing system, the academy is recognized as an official Star Wars Fan Club by Lucasfilm Ltd., which asks it to participate in local events. For community demonstrations, students often wear Star Wars costumes and do choreographed performances.

“I’ve been a nerd since I was in elementary school in New Jersey,” Negron said about his love for science fiction and fantasy. “The academy gives my students a chance to shine … and is the glue for them to have a sense of belonging to something special.”

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That sense of belonging changes lives. Parent Amy Helmick “had been looking all over town” for anything that might help her son John, 15, who was diagnosed with developmental disorders, including dyspraxia that affected his coordination.

“He was going through a really hard time in his life. He really does struggle relating to other people and making friends,” she said. Then they discovered the academy. “It’s made such a huge impact. He’s soared. … They kind of have a home where they fit in. That’s so critical in their teenage years.”

Holly Perkins is the mother of “shy” student Tully, who started attending at age 14 and in five years has developed into a polished instructor. Perkins praises Negron’s leadership and how the academy changed her son, and, thus, the entire family.

“It really brought him out of his shell,” she said. “It’s just been amazing to see him blossom.”

The school is about leadership, said Negron. “[It gives] our students the life skills to go out into the world.”

He funds much of the project himself, charging a monthly fee of $25, which he puts back into student T-shirts and lightsabers and protective equipment for students who cannot afford them. He also offers classes for severely disabled children and adults who safely do “fake fights with foam weapons.”

“I want to give back to the community in the latter part of my life,” he said. “It’s about doing something positive.”

Judy Christie is a writer based in Colorado.