IISD middle school students won 16 first place awards at the KickStart Kids fall qualifying tournament at Lancaster Middle School November 13.
KickStart was formed in August 1990 by Chuck Norris. The program currently operates in 44 schools in the Houston, Dallas, Galveston and Austin areas. More than 6,300 Texas students are served by the program and the purpose is to help provide an alternative to drugs and gang activities related to peer pressure. Martial arts training serves as a vehicle to instill the values and skills necessary to combat the peer pressures associated with at-risk behaviors. The core philosophy of martial arts stresses the vital importance of a healthy mind and body necessary to lead a productive life.
In Irving ISD, KickStart is offered through the physical education department at four middle schools. Schools and instructors are: Wallace Smedley, Austin Middle School; Daniel Sheppeard, Bowie Middle School; Cassie Henden, Crockett Middle School; Scott Carrasco, Houston Middle School; and Mark Wilkinson, Lamar Middle School. For more information about the KickStart program, access www.kick-start.org.
