This past weekend, we held the first annual Tom Rawls Memorial PowerUP Tournament, a truly special event named in honor of our friend, mentor, and visionary Board Member, Tom Rawls. The event marks an important milestone for PowerUP, and the five things we’re most proud of are:
- Building on Tom’s Legacy
- Re-inforcing our Core Mission
- Introducing PowerUP Scholars to Professionals
- Celebrating Community
- Recognizing our Scholars
We also raised over $150,000 to support our scholars!
Tom’s Legacy
Tom was more than a leader; he was a powerful advocate for our mission, and his vision continues to shape everything we do at PowerUP. This tournament, his final project with us, was a testament to his belief in the transformative power of martial arts for young people, especially those facing challenging circumstances.
Tom’s dedication to our mission and his commitment to the core values of self-regulation, resilience, and respect are at the heart of PowerUP. These values were on full display throughout the tournament, as students of all skill levels—from beginners to advanced practitioners—demonstrated not only their martial arts abilities but also the character growth that comes from PowerUP’s mentorship.
Core Mission
PowerUP is dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged and at risk children, instilling in them the core values of self-regulation, resilience and respect. The Tournament provides an opportunity for us to re-inforce the importance of the mission with our instructors, our scholars and their parents and guardians.
In addition to putting on a skills demonstration and breaking boards, our scholars competed in front of over 150 spectators, with multiple judges and referees scoring their every move. In this high-stress environment, they had to draw on the self-regulation techniques our instructors teach to stay calm and focused. Sparring is challenging and full of intimidating situations, but all participants showed resilience, pushing forward with determination. I was most impressed by how our scholars embodied respect—bowing to judges, honoring their opponents, and acknowledging the hard work of everyone involved. I honestly could not count the number of children who came up to me after the tournament to shake my hand and thank me for the opportunity. These are children, mostly under the age of 12, seeking out a stranger to thank them for their work. That behavior is exactly what we hope to instill in them to help them succeed in the future.
Introducing PowerUP Scholars to Professionals
The event was also an invaluable opportunity for our scholars to connect with inspiring professionals in our community. We had six volunteers at the event helping with registration, awards, and overseeing the sparring to ensure a safe environment for our scholars.
Thompson Rawls – Tom’s son, and Senior Agile Project Manager at CBORD, an Atlanta based software company.
Mike Auzenne – co-founder of PowerUP, and Investor at EARNEST Partners, an institutional investment firm in Atlanta
Stéphan Donzé – black belt, and board member at PowerUP, and CEO of AODocs, cloud based document management software here in Atlanta.
Swetha Parthasarathy – Analyst at Razorhorse, based in Toronto
Max Song – Analyst at Razorhorse, based in Toronto
Hailey Bause – Senior Manager and Technical Product Owner at Coca-Cola (and my fiance!)
Swetha and Max shared their experience.
“ Volunteering at the event was incredibly rewarding. Taking time to speak with some of the kids about their interests, dreams, and daily lives was eye-opening. It reminded us of just how meaningful events like these are—not just for building confidence or learning new skills but for creating connections and showing these kids that their aspirations are valid and achievable. What stood out most to us was the genuine passion these kids brought to the event. It wasn’t just about martial arts—it was about pushing themselves, supporting one another, and growing together. Seeing their determination reinforced how important it is to keep building on PowerUP’s mission and finding ways to expand its impact. Every child deserves a chance to realize their potential, and this event was proof of how transformative that opportunity can be.”
We are grateful for the time each volunteer took to share their expertise, demonstrating to our students that they have a community of supporters invested in their future. This exposure to accomplished professionals helps reinforce the belief that our core principles have value outside of their martial arts practice.
Celebrating Community
Our community came together in celebration, as over seventy (70) PowerUP scholars gathered alongside their families for a day of skill demonstrations and friendly competition. For many, this was their first chance to experience sparring, and the support and encouragement from the crowd made the event truly memorable. This tournament was about more than competition—it was a celebration of our students’ growth, dedication, and the bonds we’ve built together.
Recognizing our Scholars
Throughout the tournament, we took time to recognize the hard work of each scholar, honoring their commitment to personal growth and celebrating their accomplishments. They embodied the values of courage, determination, and discipline, a fitting tribute to Tom’s vision of what our students can achieve.
The impact of this tournament is best told by the families who experience it firsthand:
- Ramos Family: “Thank you for creating spaces for family and social integration. It was an event filled with learning opportunities for everyone—teachers, students, and parents. Your dedication has given so many children a reason to grow, both mentally and physically.”
- Hernandez Family: “In these times of economic hardship, your support for underprivileged children is a blessing. Without your help, our family could never afford this. Nathan has been able to overcome fears, improve his coordination, and truly enjoy taekwondo. You’re giving kids like him a safe space to build friendships and resilience.”
- Alvarez Family: “Thank you for making it possible for our children to be part of something that will shape their health, their future, and their character. This opportunity is priceless.”
Through the kindness of our donors and PowerUP team, these families are seeing their children transform and I am so proud of our organization’s work.
Fundraising
Thanks to the incredible generosity of 75 individual donors and our sponsors— Razorhorse (Black Belt sponsor), Tom & Debbie Avery and Mike Kohlsdorf (Brown Belt sponsors), and AODocs and Southeast Pet (Blue Belt sponsors)—we raised over $150,000 in scholarship funds in Tom’s honor. Additionally thanks to Mark Monroe and Moe’s Southwest Grill for generously providing lunch for all scholars and families attending the tournament, making the day even more memorable for our community. These funds will provide scholarships for students in need, expanding access to PowerUP’s transformative mentorship programs.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, and attended the event. With each tournament, we are carrying forward Tom’s legacy, empowering and inspiring our youth to reach new heights.
Donate now to support PowerUP and honor Tom’s legacy.
