Richard O'Donovan Essay Scholarship Contest Announced

Consistent with our warrior/scholar philosophy of encouraging ongoing academic education among Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan (SBDMDK) practitioners, the Region 10 Dan Association is again sponsoring the Richard O’Donovan Memorial Scholarship Awards. Many of our students entered this Regional  essay contest last year, and four of the five winners were from our Do Jang. 

Scholarship awards of $100.00 each are given to winners in six categories: 1) Youth Gup (age 9 and younger), 2) Youth Gup (age 10-12) and  3) Youth Gup (13-14)  4) Adult Gup (15 and older), 5) Youth Dan (age 14 and younger), and 6) Adult Dan (age 15 and older). The contest is open to any member in good standing of US SBDMDK.  Please see the rules sheet for essay topics and details.

The scholarships are intended to help recipients purchase anything related to SBD, including: merchandise purchased through a studio for books, videos, clothing, bags, testing fees, clinics, tuition, summer camp or tournaments, or for items purchased online through the Soo Bahk Do mall at http://www.cafepress.com/soobahkdomall/59450).

Students of any age or rank are encouraged to submit an essay.  Essay writing need not be a difficult task; should you need help, consider discussing your topic with your instructor(s), other students and your parents.  This will help you formulate the thoughts that you wish to convey.  After the essay is completed, have others proofread and edit it. If writing is difficult for you, consider writing your thoughts down, and then organize them into them into full sentences. Finally, read your essay out loud to make sure that your sentences and ideas flow together. The goal is to make your feelings and thoughts as clear as possible on your topic. These awards are not only meant as incentive to exercise your academic skills, but also to enrich your life as a student in the Moo Duk Kwan.  

Click here to open/download the contest PDF.

Winners from 2011:

Dan 15+  Don Magness -- Anacortes Soo Bahk Do
Gup 15+ Yemia Simonis -- Anacortes Soo Bahk Do
Dan 14- Blake Prescott -- Anacortes Soo Bahk Do
Gup 10-14 Kendall Johnson -- Channel Town Soo Bahk Do
Gup 9- Alex Carroll -- Anacortes Soo Bahk Do

About the Awards

• Every year since 2002, Region 10 awarded $100 scholarships (in different age and rank categories) to members throughout the region. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage the warrior/scholar philosophy of encouraging ongoing academic education among Soo Bahk Do practitioners. The scholarship is named in honor of Richard O'Donovan Kyo Sa Nim (Dan #31554) 1921-2002, who inspired many by his dedication to the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. Richard began his training at age 67 and earned the rank of Cho Dan (1st degree) by age 71. He then earned his Kyo Sa (certified instructor) certificate shortly thereafter. In addition to teaching younger students, he started a program called Golden Seniors Karate for students age 60 and older. When he was 77 years old, Richard had achieved the rank of Sam Dan (3rd degree) and was awarded the distinction of Dan of the Year by the Region 10 Dan Association.