https://www.taekwondofund.org/apply-now daily 0.75 2025-12-25 https://www.taekwondofund.org/home daily 1.0 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/392f124f-2e75-4501-8e70-d8bb05f8b80c/2018+-+Honorees.png Home 2018 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/44543a3c-a8fc-44ff-8bf0-6a4a03ea2582/2019+-+Honorees.png Home 2019 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/7f56fe62-8ed2-48aa-b4e6-e8e6aecbd3b5/2020+-+Honorees.png Home 2020 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/f692f8a1-fe03-4d7b-bf90-74c1207edaed/2021+-+Honorees.png Home 2021 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/76936181-3ff7-4a4f-b24a-62156e998023/2022+-+Honorees.png Home 2022 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/4f818dfd-36bf-4df9-9483-eb02e416f559/2023+-+Honorees.png Home 2023 Taekwondo Fund Honorees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/78e28e86-1d7a-4003-853f-b55ac8b5c13f/Danielle.png Home - "I hope to be a role model for the students I teach, just as those who taught me were my biggest role models." — Danielle Crowley, 2018 Debbi Stark Award Honoree https://www.taekwondofund.org/contact daily 0.75 2022-07-31 https://www.taekwondofund.org/donate daily 0.75 2022-02-14 https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2018 daily 0.75 2022-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/78e28e86-1d7a-4003-853f-b55ac8b5c13f/Danielle.png 2018 Honorees - Danielle Crowley "I hope to be a role model for the students I teach, just as those who taught me were my biggest role models." Miss Danielle Crowley, one of the scholarship recipients in 2018, had just finished her first year at SUNY Geneseo. She is an instructor at the Greece location, and a great role model to all of our students. Miss Crowley plans to pursue a law degree and use her skills to reform the criminal justice system. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/7e1ff6fc-2920-4438-9b35-adcad0834fd2/Kai.png 2018 Honorees - Kai DeJesus Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/d83f724a-1847-4707-9678-30a82b3998de/Lora.png 2018 Honorees - Lora Xu “This scholarship means a lot to me. It symbolizes one of my achievements of my long Taekwondo journey, starting from when I was 5 years old, to starting to compete, to earning a National medal this year. Taekwondo has brought me this scholarship and has made me the person and athlete I am today. This scholarship recognizes my Taekwondo efforts and continues to motivate me to follow one of the Taekwondo tenants of perseverance in Taekwondo and in my future.” Miss Lora Xu is one of Team East's competitors, and one of last year’s scholarship recipients. She will be starting school at Loyola University this fall, studying neuroscience with the goal of becoming a doctor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/435bccb6-ada2-44c5-9ea5-393c7d33fa46/Natasha.png 2018 Honorees - Natasha Hayden “Everywhere I go, my goal is to convey the tenets of Taekwondo...especially in this next chapter where I'm building a life for myself.” Miss Natasha Hayden was recently accepted into Medaille College’s veterinary tech program! After receiving the scholarship, this is what Ms. Hayden had to say: “The scholarship meant so much to me and motivated me to pursue my passion in helping animals. It helped me set a goal to earn my license as a veterinary technician through Medaille College.” https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2020 daily 0.75 2022-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/2873de08-4591-4fc6-b38a-49bdc0006324/2020+-+Honoree+-+Erin+Block.png 2020 Honorees - Erin Block “I plan to take the skills I have learned from Taekwondo and carry them with me forever. Taekwondo taught me respect. This is such an important quality to have in life, and I am lucky enough to have learned it at a young age. I can take my confidence and respectful manner into job interviews and presentations that I will give. There are so many challenging circumstances that will arise throughout my life and I know I will be ready for anything life throws at me.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/0cf285cc-feec-474d-b70e-67ddccfed1e7/2020+-+Honoree+-+Isaiah+Gonsalves.png 2020 Honorees - Isaiah Gonsalves Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/8c606b8e-5690-4656-b178-adcc595f0525/2020+-+Honoree+-+Nicky+Bruce.png 2020 Honorees - Nicky Bruce “I started Taekwondo when I was three years old because my mom thought the philosophies and curriculum of Taekwondo would help me with my autism. She hoped it would help me to control myself when feeling overwhelmed, to focus, and to help me to interact with others. During early development it is important for children to be a part of something that contributes to a strong foundation of character and helps shape the adult they become. I know Taekwondo has done that for me and more “ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/9fce98b7-d89b-4de4-ad20-dc4cf08e8cad/2020+-+Honoree+-+Ming+DeMers.png 2020 Honorees - Ming DeMers “The values I have learned from Taekwondo have become a way of life. They extend beyond work and sports. Whether it's holding the door, helping an elderly person load their car, or maintaining good grades, I am always challenging myself to be the best person I can be.“ https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2019 daily 0.75 2022-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/db7ac6f6-b8c6-4080-b51a-f21f70194e81/2019+-+Honoree+-+Lilly+Wellman.png 2019 Honorees - Lilly Wellman “Through working with numerous people from different backgrounds at Taekwondo, I have found my calling for what I want to do in the future. Taekwondo gives me the gift of interacting with everyone and through this I am inspired to create a career for the purpose of bettering people. Working as an instructor there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smiles and appreciation of children when I am able to help them learn their curriculum. Though teaching the tenets of Taekwondo to students these ideals continuously are engraved in my character. Seeing children continue to persevere and break the board on multiple attempts inspires me and reinforces the truth that success is almost never immediate. My future is full of unknowns but I know that with my tenets of Taekwondo filled mindset and desire to push others towards success I will be prepared for whatever there is to encounter.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/e6aaa608-93be-4986-aa99-520a71e9519b/2019+-+Honoree+-+Christopher+Ferrari.png 2019 Honorees - Chris Ferrari Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/c85c6ba6-ea4f-4da5-bdaf-82bef9416b98/2019+-+Honoree+-+Vincent+Le.png 2019 Honorees - Vincent Le “I truly cannot envision what my life would have been like without Taekwondo. If I were to have taken a different route in life, I know that I would be a subpar version of myself. This is because training has ingrained the philosophy of Taekwondo into who I am today. From practicing my horse stance as a white belt to competitively training as a black belt, I have grown up with Taekwondo. Time has truly gone by fast and I am in disbelief because of how much I have changed as a person. With my next chapter in life ahead of me, I know that Taekwondo will always be a part of me.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/408501dd-2b7c-41d3-aa0a-4f539d4d1a5d/2019+-+Honoree+-+Lance+Ognibene.png 2019 Honorees - Lance Ognibene “The values Taekwondo has instilled in me, specifically courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit will continue to guide me in my next chapter of life. I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities my senior year of high school will provide. As I move closer to college life, there are going to be bigger decisions and responsibilities that I will be faced with. As long as I stay true to the tenets of Taekwondo, I feel I can face a challenge of any magnitude.” https://www.taekwondofund.org/our-mission daily 0.75 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/64512c4d-f453-448d-9191-59ec717f173d/kyle_kristina_gmk.jpeg Our Mission - Disciplined martial artists hold tremendous capabilities. They deserve the opportunities afforded to athletes in other sports. The Taekwondo Scholarship Fund was founded in 2018 by Masters Kyle Rand and Kristina Chang with the goal of empowering taekwondo students to pursue higher academic success. When we realized how few college Taekwondo scholarships exist, we realized there was an important opportunity to make an impact. Both of our founders grew up at their dojang at Master Kim’s Taekwondo Institute. Master Rand started training in the footsteps of his cousins at the age of 9, then went on to train competitively in New Zealand, and finally landed in Boston, where he joined CW Taekwondo and the t.Bos Competition Team to compete internationally in sport poomsae for several years. Master Chang started training with her family when she was just 3 years old, but carried on to teach all throughout her high school years at Master Kim’s, then went on to train across the ocean in Spain. When she finally landed back in Boston, she also started training at CW Taekwondo. The two tested together for their 5th degree black belts in February 2018, and founded this scholarship through the process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/a8b37337-8f63-4ab5-a0c4-868964007f1a/debbi_bw.jpeg Our Mission - The Debbi Stark Award The Debbi Stark Award is our largest scholarship award, given to our most promising applicants. This award was created in loving memory of Master Debbi Stark. She was the true embodiment of the Taekwondo spirit, and we honor her contributions to the Taekwondo community through this promise to support our students in furthering their education. https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2021 daily 0.75 2022-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/4deb7e6c-0383-4154-82f2-2d3a54ef4c73/2021+-+Honoree+-+Sophia.png 2021 Honorees - Sophia Paciorkowski “The opportunity to help students build their self-esteem and push themselves beyond self-expectations has been incredible. Personally, I was not born into poverty. I have always had food on the table and actively supportive parents in my life. However, the appreciation I have for being able to work with these young students is something I value so much more than any of the personal achievements I have made in Taekwondo. As a result, I have worked hard to convey a motivating and crucial message to the kids we teach. This message being that they can be different from the circumstances of their lives. They can choose a better path. I honestly do not know if this message will get through to them. I do not know if they will make it out of the difficult environments they have had to endure. However, if through the years of instruction I am able to make an impact on just one student, every day will have been significant, and every second will have been worthwhile.“ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/b8c9aa6b-2aae-434f-8404-6acfca876427/2021+-+Honoree+-+Placeholder.png 2021 Honorees - Mason Rivera Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/aa326404-dc02-4c72-9ecb-f2f34250994a/2021+-+Honoree+-+Andrew.png 2021 Honorees - Andrew Milliman “Not only have I learned the core tenets of Taekwondo and have improved my physical strength, I have also increased my confidence, have become a more outgoing person, and improved my grades in school. My parents are so proud of the man I am becoming; confident, kind, and smart and caring. I am thankful for all the skills and values I have learned at Taekwondo.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/47c50a60-2033-49b2-8527-85c9ce380b81/2021+-+Honoree+-+Gerriana.png 2021 Honorees - Gerriana Saltzman “We always talk about working hard and putting 110% into everything you do, and I’ve taken that to heart and applied it to school. I always try my hardest at school and try to help as much as I can as a leader.” https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2022 daily 0.75 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/5196bb90-c114-4192-bcf5-779d7488f11e/2022+-+Honoree+-+Valeria+Malay.png 2022 Honorees - Valeria Malay “As I continue onto the next chapter of my life, I can see all my experiences from taekwondo benefiting me all throughout my life. It has taught me how to have confidence in what I do, as well as how to persevere through any hardships. It has also aided me in developing my leadership skill set, as well as my teaching skill set. On top of it all, it helped me expand my morals, and set up high standards to follow. It aided me in learning how to communicate and work as a team, rather than an individual. These are all skill sets taekwondo has provided me with, that will stay with me.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/b85e040f-ee04-4038-a18c-e5b6858f447c/2022+-+Honoree+-+Joshua+Hereth.png 2022 Honorees - Joshua Hereth Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/a9c88d65-e2f4-4d51-9136-fae101a8ebff/2022+-+Honoree+-+Katherine+Brodwin-Sipols.png 2022 Honorees - Katherine Brodwin-Sipols “Taekwondo has been a consistent presence in my life since I was twelve years old, and through these past five years of my life, the sport has shaped me into the best version of myself. When I first started Taekwondo, I struggled with commitment. I did not always want to go to class and there were even times where I resented the time that had been given to me to grow as a Taekwondo student. As the years went on, however, I became more dedicated to showing up to class and putting in the work so that I could be a good role model for other members of the community. Taekwondo made me into a more dedicated student, which was not only reflected in the Dojang but in the classroom as well. As I transitioned from middle school to high school my dedication to my schoolwork never faltered despite the tumultuous time. Through that period of new experiences, I remained on high honor roll. I know that my dedication to everything that I do will remain with me during the start of college next year and it will shape me into a model student who will keep her grades up no matter the situation, in order to reach her goals.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/2a72da60-adcf-4957-a3df-f19c07c40105/2022+-+Honoree+-+Madeline+Osinski.png 2022 Honorees - Madeline Osinski “I hope to continue to do Taekwondo within college and share my knowledge with new students. Taekwondo gave me the confidence to pursue my passion and follow my major of Aerospace Engineering into college with me. I hope that as I enter college, I can use Taekwondo as a valuable part of my everyday life- to show that it is ok if things do not always go as planned and how as both a student and a coach I can overcome it. Thus, today when I tie my belt on my waist I remember where I began and am grateful for the wild journey Taekwondo will continue to take me on as I move forward from high school.” https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2024b daily 0.75 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/4deb7e6c-0383-4154-82f2-2d3a54ef4c73/2021+-+Honoree+-+Sophia.png 2024b Honorees - Sophia Paciorkowski “The opportunity to help students build their self-esteem and push themselves beyond self-expectations has been incredible. Personally, I was not born into poverty. I have always had food on the table and actively supportive parents in my life. However, the appreciation I have for being able to work with these young students is something I value so much more than any of the personal achievements I have made in Taekwondo. As a result, I have worked hard to convey a motivating and crucial message to the kids we teach. This message being that they can be different from the circumstances of their lives. They can choose a better path. I honestly do not know if this message will get through to them. I do not know if they will make it out of the difficult environments they have had to endure. However, if through the years of instruction I am able to make an impact on just one student, every day will have been significant, and every second will have been worthwhile.“ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/b8c9aa6b-2aae-434f-8404-6acfca876427/2021+-+Honoree+-+Placeholder.png 2024b Honorees - Mason Rivera Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/aa326404-dc02-4c72-9ecb-f2f34250994a/2021+-+Honoree+-+Andrew.png 2024b Honorees - Andrew Milliman “Not only have I learned the core tenets of Taekwondo and have improved my physical strength, I have also increased my confidence, have become a more outgoing person, and improved my grades in school. My parents are so proud of the man I am becoming; confident, kind, and smart and caring. I am thankful for all the skills and values I have learned at Taekwondo.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/47c50a60-2033-49b2-8527-85c9ce380b81/2021+-+Honoree+-+Gerriana.png 2024b Honorees - Gerriana Saltzman “We always talk about working hard and putting 110% into everything you do, and I’ve taken that to heart and applied it to school. I always try my hardest at school and try to help as much as I can as a leader.” https://www.taekwondofund.org/honorees-2023 daily 0.75 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/13ae6e0b-ec1b-4ffd-91ab-8e002bee72d1/2023+-+honoree+-+elena_lesniak.png 2023 Honorees - Elena Lesniak “Although at first, they may seem unrelated, the pillars of medicine clearly align with many of the values of MKTKD. Working in the medical field, but specifically as a PA is a field which amplifies the importance of communication on a day-to-day basis. PAs are not only tasked with being a provider to patients, but rather the individual they know they can look up to for help. Particularly, in these vulnerable moments PA's serve as the bridge between physicians and nurses. They are the unique provider which diversifies the field of medicine in and of itself. Taekwondo has shown me the value of learning to work with others of different backgrounds. Moreover, communicating with adults, coworkers, or those of different ages. It is not easy to communicate with people, but I strongly believe that my experience at Taekwondo has bettered me for the future of my life and my post-secondary education.“ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/5d82072e-207c-43ec-a8ed-c6f5c03a6000/2023+-+honoree+-+bryce_klinsky.png 2023 Honorees - Bryce Klinsky Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/33f6b01e-7da5-4cdb-8b8a-ed3f51a8edd2/2023+-+honoree+-+piper_turri.png 2023 Honorees - Piper Turri “The only way to finally achieve the goals I set for myself in Taekwondo, gymnastics, or school is to dedicate myself to hours of struggle and strain, and even moments of indecision and regret. Improvement and accomplishment will only present themselves when I put in the effort—staying after class to refine my forms and techniques, asking my teachers for clarification on complex topics, etc. The application of these character traits, along with the respect and professionalism that I have fortunately been exposed to, will only assist me in becoming someone who is dependable, respectable, and successful in whatever I choose to engage in.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/617253d194aa8322c549401e/5babb648-f432-454c-87b9-c9aa5ef7e98c/2023+-+honoree+-+kateri_white.png 2023 Honorees - Kateri White “As I am coming towards graduation and going to college, the next chapter in my life, safety awareness is something I have learned and grown to value as well. It has helped teach me what to look for when I have to be in an environment that I just do not feel completely comfortable in, and how to stay aware when I am walking alone. Taekwondo has taught me so many things I can implement in life. Especially going forward into college. As I go forward in life I can use everything I have experienced, good or bad. I will carry the tenets and life lessons with me always. I will forever be grateful for all that I have gained and continue to learn through taekwondo.”