Shihan Jeffrey Maistrosky of the Independent Martial Arts School presents this year's $15,000 Craig P. Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship to Kaylee Barchard during the annual IMAS tournament on April 18. Courtesy photo Independent Martial Arts School

NASHUA — Kaylee Barchard, a second degree black belt at the Independent Martial Arts School, could hardly believe it when Shihan Jeffrey Maistrosky announced that she had been selected as this year’s recipient of the $15,000 Craig P. Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship.

“All the color drained from my face,” said Barchard. “Not knowing if I would receive the scholarship had plagued my mind for weeks. The only emotion I felt in the moment was relief and overwhelming gratitude.”

The scholarship was established in 1993 in memory of Craig Hutchinson, a student and instructor at the IMAS. Hutchinson died on Dec. 20, 1992 from complications of mononucleosis during his sophomore year at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa. During the past 33 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $140,000 in scholarship funds.

“For me, this scholarship is about more than just the money,” said Barchard. “It’s about the honor of being chosen to carry Mr. Hutchinson’s legacy.”

Reflecting on her martial arts journey, Barchard said her younger brother, Anthony, had been training for a year when she decided to join the IMAS simply because “it looked cool.”

“The IMAS was the obvious choice,” she said. “It has been a family affair for decades, my dad is a fifth degree black belt, my brother and I are both second degree black belts and all of my cousins did karate at some point.”

She also said there is a true sense of community at the IMAS.

“It’s more than just a dojo, it’s family. We all push each other to succeed and celebrate each other when we do. It truly is my home away from home,” said Barchard. “My favorite part of martial arts is that it is my gateway to self-expression. I love kata, learning it, performing it, you name it. Uniting power and grace, kata gives me a chance to express myself in a unique art form.”

Barchard said the most difficult part of her training came in February 2023 when she was tested for her first degree black belt.

“It is designed to push you to your physical and mental limits,” she said of the exam. “My brother and I went through nearly three hours of rigorous testing to prove our competence in the martial arts. While challenging, the result was more than worth it.”

Headmaster Michael Susalka, a member of the Hutchinson Foundation’s Board of Directors, said Barchard has set the standard for the younger students.

“Kaylee has set a fine example of focus and dedication,” he said. “Her desire to serve is exactly what we try to instill in our black belts and we couldn’t be prouder to support her future path.”

Hutchinson Foundation Secretary Katherine Bonamo said Barchard has always had that special spark.

“I am always proud of our scholarship recipients, but I have to say that Kaylee is one of the most impressive and engaging high school seniors you will ever meet,” she said. “The Independent Martial Arts School tries to promote an ethic of service and we truly see that in her.”

A resident of Brookline, Barchard is a volunteer instructor at the IMAS and a senior at Hollis Brookline High School. Earlier in her high school career, she co-founded the school’s National English Honor Society and became a Unified Sports partner, giving special needs students the opportunity to participate in athletics.

Barchard said she worked with English teacher Victoria Flaherty to establish a chapter of the National English Honor Society. In addition to exceptional academic performance, Barchard said the group also focuses on giving back to the community. She said the chapter is currently assisting sixth grade students at Hollis Upper Elementary School with their DARE essays and will be hosting a book swap at Hollis-Brookline Middle School in early-May.

Barchard has been involved in United Sports since her freshman year.

“It quickly became one of my favorite extracurriculars, aside from karate of course,” she said. “Unified Sports is the perfect environment; lighthearted and carefree, it is a great combination of competitiveness and fun.”

This fall, Barchard will be enrolling in a five-year program at the University of New Hampshire Durham to achieve her goal of becoming a high school English teacher and reading specialist.

“My initial attraction to education actually came from the IMAS when I had decided my life’s goal was to become a martial arts instructor. That goal quickly morphed into becoming a full-time teacher. English was an easy choice, I love writing and literary analysis is one of my favorite pastimes,” said Barchard. “While more recent, my endeavor to become a certified reading specialist was inspired by my school’s reading specialist, Dr. Sarah Clauss. The field perfectly mixes my love for special education and language.”

Speaking about the life benefits of martial arts, Barchard referred to one of the 20 Precepts established by Shotokan Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi: “Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.”

“The emphasis the IMAS puts on humility and respect has influenced my attitude towards life in general, encouraging me to act with kindness and grace wherever I go,” she said.