Kickstart Kids is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 by Chuck Norris, with the help of the former President George H.W. Bush, that teaches disadvantaged inner-city youth the vital traits that martial arts have to offer; a program that builds character through karate. Kickstart Kids is a program that has had a tremendous impact on my life. It is a program that I deeply involve myself in, not only while school is in session but also during the summer break.

In middle school, I was constantly finding myself in trouble and being sent to the principal’s office. I was a kid that constantly was reprimanded but excelled in academics. However, karate changed that.

During 2012-2013 school year, I was enrolled in my first karate class through the program. The program intrigued me in the way that I had never experienced before. In middle school, I played every single sport but I had a burning passion for karate. Whenever there would be a conflict of scheduling between karate and another sport that I was involved in, I would always pick karate. I even missed my football team’s pictures so that I could attend a karate practice the day before a regional tournament (I won first place by the way).

There was a time where I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to after-school practice because there was not any method of transportation to get me home. My mom worked so she could not pick me up and there weren’t any after school buses. My only option was to walk, so every Tuesday and Thursday after practice I would walk three miles from Hogg Middle School in Houston Heights to our apartment in downtown Houston. I was not going to let a small obstacle like not having a ride stop me from participating in the sport that I love so much.

After I finished middle school we moved from downtown Houston, Texas to Spring, Texas, 20 miles from the middle school where the karate was. I was devastated because I knew that I would not be able to walk 20 miles and make it to practice on time.

For almost 2 years I was not able to attend karate. However, when I was in the 11th grade I received my driver's license and my own car. The first thing on my mind was to go to karate practice. Every Tuesday and Thursday since then, I’ve driven over 40 miles during rush hour in order to make it to karate.

I am a multiple time citywide, multiple time regional, three-time Texas state, and two time World champion in the United Fighting Arts Federation Chuck Norris System. Also, I have traveled to Las Vegas and other exciting places that I would have never been able to experience if it had not been for KickStart Kids. Not to brag, but I’ve also met Chuck Norris the founder of my style and television star.

Kickstart Kids has impacted my life in tremendous ways and I would not have become the well-rounded individual I am today without it. That is why I return to volunteer and practice, not only to expand my knowledge in the martial arts but also to make a meaningful impact in the life of troubled middle schoolers who like me, need guidance.

So if you’re a parent and wondering what sport to start your kid off in, I’d say karate. It has had a huge impact on me and I know that it will for your kid, too.