To be successful in life, young people must learn the lessons of self-respect and self-discipline, which is why Kuk Sool Won of Pasadena has awarded more than $60,000 in martial arts scholarships to Pasadena ISD students.

Named in honor of one Pasadena ISD student’s aunt, Kuk Sool Won began the Sylvia Harding Scholarship program for Pasadena ISD students in grades K-12 in January 2006. The scholarships hold a monetary value of $1,500, which includes testing costs, 12 calendar months of training and one uniform for each scholarship winner.

Nineteen students from 10 campuses were recently awarded including Michael Rocha and Shellsea Avina from Morales Elementary, Javier Elizondo and Estefania Zarazva from Bailey Elementary, Gaby Tovor and Amanda Mireles from De Zavala Fifth Grade Center, Celestana Rivera and Kenesha Williams from Jensen Elementary, Janette Castillo from Gardens Elementary, Jonathan Solis and Ricardo Ocha from South Houston Elementary, Stephanie Hernandez and John Harris from Parks Elementary, Gerald Gonzalez and Diamaris Sanchez from Young Elementary, Clarissa Hernandez and Jamisson Wilson from Burnett Elementary, and Brennan Guidry and Rebecca Stephens from Moore Elementary.

Kuk Sool Won co-owner Jason Franklin said the ultimate goal of the program is to have at least one student from each Pasadena school attending classes on scholarship. “Reaching out to our local schools gives us a great opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of the children in our community,” he said. “As long as we are able to bring the lessons of respect, discipline and self defense to as many students as possible, then we are achieving the true idea behind this program.”

Each of these scholarships were awarded to students who attended Franklin’s “Honest Talks” in their schools and then wrote an essay on how they believed martial arts would improve their life. The “talks” are centered on issues present in today’s schools and among young people. The two most popular topics are “Dealing with Bullies” and “The Three Selfs: Self Respect, Self Discipline and Self Defense.” Each essay was endorsed by a parent or guardian as well as a faculty member before consideration.

“The primary goal of our entire program is to improve the lives of our students outside our school by what they are learning inside our school,” said Franklin. “If we teach our children ‘Self Respect,’ we will give them the power to say ‘No.’ If we teach our children ‘Self Discipline,’ we will give them the power to say ‘Yes.’ If we are able to give our children both of these, they will provide the next generation with a better culture and society than we have given them.”

Aside from the mental development the students are offered at Kuk Sool Won, the students are also offered physical benefits through 20 different kicks and hand strikes, seven different moving forms (each of which takes several months to learn properly), as well as 226 different situational defensive techniques.

“Regardless of what we as parents may like to believe, the world we grew up in isn’t here anymore,” said Franklin. “Our children have to be taught a new way to deal with the never ending barrage of situations thrown at them on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of every parent, teacher, businessman and politician to help these children thrive in the culture and society we have provided for them.”

Pasadena ISD’s director of school and community relations Cindy Parmer said the scholarships provided by Kuk Sool Won offer unique and valuable opportunities for Pasadena students.

“By offering these scholarships to our students, Kuk Sool Won is providing a resource beyond the academic classroom—one that reaches into the community itself,” said Parmer. “The district is fortunate to have partnerships such as this one. Kuk Sool Won has truly shown they care about the youth of our community, and we are grateful for their efforts.”