Fostering Growth and Resilience Through Martial Arts

Budo Accelerator and Simon Scholars Collaborate to Develop Tomorrow's Leaders

In February 2023, Budo Accelerator ran a unique program for 150 high school students from Simon Scholars, a non-profit organization that helps academically talented students from underrepresented communities achieve their full potential. The students participated in a full day immersion program focused on leadership and martial arts, practicing aikido, kali, and qi gong.

Budo Accelerator hosted the event at UC Irvine and brought a team of 12 instructors to run the program, including both veteran martial arts instructors and Budo Accelerator high school and college students. 

The Junior Leadership Day program began with an opening ceremony that set the tone for the day. Students were then divided into three groups, each led by a team that guided them through the different martial arts experiences. Each student participated in all three sessions. The students learned about the principles of aikido, a non-competitive Japanese martial art, as well as kali, a Filipino martial art that emphasizes weapon-based fighting, and qi gong, a Chinese martial art that combines meditation and movement.

“This event taught me more about leadership qualities than I have ever learned in my life, including inclusivity, communication, teamwork, flexibility, adaptability, self-discipline, partnership, and perseverance.

It was a very empowering and eye-opening experience for me, as I never once thought that I would be able to learn how to be more of a leader through martial arts. Although I consider myself to be a very reserved individual who is not much of a leader, I do aspire to be one. I highly value and admire those who are able to lead others and promote a more positive, open, and inclusive environment that allows people from all backgrounds to freely express and embrace their identities.”

-Vanessa L.

Each martial arts experience integrated concepts and discussions on leadership, where the students learned about the qualities of effective leaders and how to apply those qualities in their daily lives. The aikido session focused on resilience and embracing failure as a pathway to growth. The kali experience developed adaptability and teamwork, and the qi gong session led students through a deep exploration of the self. 

We’re honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Simon Scholars to create a brighter future for the next generation and look forward to our next event with Simon Scholars and their amazing students.