Mastery Martial Arts teaches fitness, core values; raises funds for Rhode Island schools

Mastery Martial Arts Leadership Program has raised over $20K for local schools

Mastery Martial Arts presented a $900 check to the Holliman Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on February 9 to culminate its four-week Martial Arts Leadership Program.

Mastery has raised more than $20,000 for local elementary schools, pre-schools, and daycares since starting the program in 2015. Mastery’s successful programs won first place in the Providence Journal 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards and Mastery has been a nominee every year since 2018.

Mastery is currently working with nine schools in 2023, including Winsor Elementary School, Primrose Hill Elementary School, and the Ocean State Kidz Club. The four-week curriculum is modeled after a typical Mastery class. Expert instructors teach students basic martial arts stances while incorporating core values such as discipline, respect, self-esteem, and honesty.

Students undergo belt testing the final week, where they receive their white belt and a certificate. Graduates and their families are also invited to a pizza party at one of Mastery’s six locations. More than half of students continue their martial arts journey with Mastery after participating in the course.

“It’s amazing to see the students’ transformation in just four short weeks,” says Anthony Pezzillo, partner at Mastery Martial Arts. “There is a noticeable difference in how students hold themselves from week one to week four. Students are standing up straight and exuding more confidence.”

The school sets the price for the after-school program and keeps 100 percent of the proceeds. The money is used to further improve students’ experience both in and out of the classroom. One school used the funds to build a new playground, another school coordinated a field trip. Holliman Elementary School plans to use the funds for cultural arts assemblies, family events, and teacher grants.

Mastery offers several after-school enrichment courses as a part of its commitment to giving back to the community. Principals and teachers that are interested in partnering with Mastery to offer this empowering course and raise money for their school are encouraged to fill out the contact form on Mastery’s website: https://bit.ly/Mastery_Enrichment.

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