BOYERTOWN — Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy on East Philadelphia Avenue recently honored the memory of martial arts student Cole Moser, 7, who passed away last year.
The Cole Moser Kick-A-Thon, which was held on Sept. 28 as part of the academy’s 30-year anniversary celebration, featured tours of the academy, demonstrations and performances throughout the day. The Kick-A-Thon also gave each martial arts student an opportunity to collect sponsorships and show off their kicking skills.
Cole had achieved several belts while a student at Ellixson’s. He had also been awarded a plaque in 2022 for having one of the highest attendance records. When Cole passed away unexpectedly in 2023, he was posthumously awarded an honorary blackbelt from Master Donnie Ellixson Jr.
The Moser family established the Cole Moser Scholarship to support another young person on their martial arts journey. The candidates were nominated based on effort, attendance, spirit, manners, academic achievement and other traits, according to the announcement.
“This scholarship has brought out such emotion in everyone at the academy,” Donnie Ellixson Jr., owner and chief instructor at Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy, said in the announcement. “Cole’s spirit lives on and inspires us all. We hope the Mosers will follow Kriyansh over the next year and continue to feel like a part of the Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do family.”
The Ellixson’s staff narrowed it down to a few finalists and the Mosers made the final selection, according to the announcement.
Elliot Patton received the first Cole Moser Scholarship Award in 2023 as a 7-year-old Mighty Mite at the academy. The two boys attended many classes together and had been good friends, according to the academy.
Kriyansh Shah, a 7-year-old Mighty Mite at the academy, was selected as the recipient of the 2nd Annual Cole Moser Scholarship Award.
Cole’s parents Sheena and Andrew Moser recently presented the scholarship to Shah on the evening of his test for green belt.
“Kriyansh is always eager to learn and makes fast friends with everyone he meets. He was awarded the scholarship on the evening of his test for green belt, which is a notable achievement in this age group and a great start to his year ahead, carrying on the martial arts journey in Cole’s name,” stated the academy in the announcement.
For more information about Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy, visit www.ellixsonstkd.com.
