Scholarship

Every June KAT awards the Michael Pottle Memorial Scholarship to one deserving high school senior to help defray their costs of attending college in the fall. The scholarship committee considers three main areas:

Academic Record: Classes taken and grades achieved. Students may submit results of standardized tests if they wish them to be considered.

Community Service: Volunteer and other work done to make the world a better place.

Contribution to the KAT: Work done, students helped, championships won, etc.

The scholarship is currently valued at one payment of $1000. Students should submit evidence of their contributions as noted above as well as proof that they will attend college in the fall. The scholarship is open to all students who have been with KAT for at least 6 months, however KAT black belts will be given extra consideration. Applicants must be currently enrolled students or currently employed staff members. All applications must be received by June 1st. You may send my email to Master Bill

Scholarship Committee 

The KAT Scholarship Committee consists of 7 distinguished members of KAT who are highly invested in the school but not involved in the day to day operation to avoid favoritism. The members vote on the applications.

Grandmaster Ghassan Timani (8th Dan) – Grandmaster Ghassan is the 2nd Head Master  of KAT.

Grandmaster Bob McKenna (8th Dan, California) – Grandmaster Bob McKenna trained at KAT for many years before his retirement.

Master Zak Kirk (5th Dan) – Master Zak is currently a math professor at both Metro State University and the Community College of Denver.

Master Emelio Tio (4th Dan) – Master Emelio ran the KAT school in Baghdad, Iraq while the former Chief of Staff for the US Embassy there and currently lives in Texas.

Instructor Scott Granger (3rd Dan) – Instructor Scott ran the KAT Loveland branch before moving to Oklahoma.

Dr Rafael Moreno (2nd Dan) – Dr. Moreno is a professor of geography at CU Denver.

Sarah Gehrke (2nd Dan) – Sarah is a graduate of UCCS who currently works in science.

Previous Winners

2021: Briana Ballard – Briana is a key instructor an competitor with an amazing academic and community service record. Monica Ballard, Jared Dutton, and Ellie Bowman win runner up honors and $100 awards.

2020: Mahayla Griggs – Mahayla was a key instructor and integral part of the KAT BJJ program. She was also a counselor for several years of KAT summer camp. She was accepted to attend college in Oregon.

2018: Joshua Kosloski – Josh graduated from Eaglecrest HS and currently attends college in Hawaii. Josh was the first student to go from Little Tigers to black belt, and the first American to win the 12-14 year old world championships.

2016: Lexi Brown – Lexi graduated from William Smith high school and will attend CU Denver in the fall. She has the distinction of being the first high school athlete in Colorado history to earn a Varsity Letter for Taekwondo. Lexi is a third degree black belt who has been with KAT for nearly ten years. She has taught at GVA, Quest, Mosley, Vanguard, and the dojang. Lexi has also volunteered extensively in the community as well as at KAT summer camps and as a key member of the KAT Tournament Committee.

2012: Devin Benson: The 2012 winner of the scholarship was Devin Benson. Devin finished high school with a 3.97 GPA and will attend Harding University in the fall. Devin has been a key member of KAT Littleton and the demo team for several years. He holds black belts in both karate and Taekwondo.

2011: Christina Seraile: The first winner of the scholarship was Christina Seraile. Christina earned fantastic grades through Aurora Options and used the scholarship to attend the Community College of Aurora. Christina has been heavily involved in KAT since her original school, United Academy, closed. She is an instructor, head counselor at summer camp, and member of the National Honor Society.