The Murray City School District (MCSD) is thrilled to highlight an inspiring partnership with the newly founded Lotus Pond Foundation, which is providing life-changing, fully funded martial arts scholarships to qualifying students across our district. This program, provided by owner Marshall Parnell, offers far more than just physical training—it provides critical tools for lifelong success.

"I know how hard this world can be when you can't see a way ahead... I have personally seen what happens when you believe in yourself and harness your mind, body, and will. I want to give that to as many people as I can," says Parnell. 

 The vision for the Lotus Pond Foundation stemmed from a simple, profound realization: for 25 years, Lotus Martial Arts had occasionally encountered deserving students who desperately needed the benefits of their training but could not afford the cost. The school wanted to move beyond temporary fixes to a resilient solution for the many students who wouldn't even inquire, knowing they couldn't pay. Founding the non-profit was the answer, allowing Parnell to award free scholarships to individual students.

A Master Course in Self-Mastery

While students acquire martial arts skills, the primary goals are focused on building internal strength. As the founder explains, martial arts training is like taking an "advanced driving course" for the mind, body, and emotions.

This unique, holistic training fosters rapid changes: improved confidence, emotional control, focus, and physical fitness. When students master challenging physical tasks, it creates an immediate sense of accomplishment and empowerment. This translates into the belief that they "can do anything," providing a powerful emotional toolkit that staff and parents can reference for academic or behavioral challenges in the classroom.

One young student, who initially struggled to manage emotions when facing a difficult exercise, learned to center their feelings before tackling the task. This breakthrough allowed them to succeed, creating an immediate sense of empowerment that has already led to teacher recognition for improved classroom behavior in less than a month. As one parent shared, "He told me 'they taught us how to turn our anger into power.'"

Direct Impact: Stories from Horizon Elementary

The most compelling evidence of the program's success comes directly from our schools. Susannah Holden, social worker at Horizon Elementary, has observed remarkable transformations in participating students:

• Regarding one female student, Ms. Holden shared: "Her teacher recently checked in with her, and she shared that she really enjoys the program, something especially meaningful given that she is typically very quiet and rarely expresses her feelings. She came up to her teacher beaming, excited to say that she can’t wait for class this week because she’s earning her yellow belt. Seeing her lit up is remarkable. The scholarship has given her a space where she feels confident, motivated, and able to express joy in a way we rarely see, especially after the death of her father."
• Another male student is also showing tremendous improvement in disposition: "His teacher said that he loves to tell her all about karate and his yellow belt. He is also excited and joyful about something whereas he was often quiet before and sometimes struggled to regulate his emotions. Now he just seems so happy about things."
• Ms. Holden noted the positive shift in a third male student: "I can tell you that every time I speak with him he tells me all about the classes and what he's working toward. It has been such a positive boost for his self-esteem. He thinks Master Parnell is just about the coolest and I'm starting to see glimmers of more self control in the classroom."

The Power of Partnership

To date, the program has awarded eleven MCSD students with six-month or one-year scholarships, with a commitment to renew them as long as the student maintains the school’s standards. The founder is eager to work with MCSD to integrate behavioral and academic goals, similar to an NCAA scholarship structure, further motivating student achievement.

The partnership with the Murray Education Foundation (MEF) and MCSD is crucial: school staff are on the front lines, identifying the students who most need this resource and celebrating their growth. This collaboration also provides the necessary data for the Lotus Pond Foundation to measure impact and strategically plan for the future.

We are excited about the positive impact the Lotus Pond Foundation is having on our students and look forward to strengthening this vital partnership.