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More than 1,200 Aurora Public Schools students from 13 schools took part this year in an inspiring martial arts experience that is bound to stick with them for years to come. Grandmaster Lee of Han Lee’s Taekwondo Academy, a longtime supporter of APS, partnered with Title I schools this year to expose students to the basics of taekwondo—teaching not just physical skills, but life lessons in focus, discipline, respect and perseverance.
Offered free of charge during students’ regular physical education classes, the program brought the art and philosophy of taekwondo directly into the school day. The year culminated in a spirited graduation event at the APS District Stadium, where 12 schools came together—minus one who couldn’t participate in the graduation—to celebrate what their students had learned. The highlight? A friendly competition where each school showcased their skills, discipline and growth. Six schools earned trophies for their precision and hard work during the competition, judged by fellow APS school leaders. Congratulations to the following schools:
First-place winners: Crawford Elementary School and Edna & John W. Mosley P-8
Second-place winners: Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts K-8 School & Montview Elementary School
Third-place winners: Lansing and Laredo elementary schools
Grandmaster Lee’s approach gives students a fun, engaging way to explore martial arts while learning about goal-setting, mental focus and the importance of respect for oneself and others. This community partnership is an example of how schools and community leaders can work together to offer students meaningful, enriching experiences. With its blend of physical activity and character development, Han Lee’s Taekwondo Academy program was a highlight of the year for many students and a reminder that the strongest skills often come from within.