Sensei Scarlett: sophomore Scarlett Stamos trained to become a sensei over the summer

Kempo Karate is an uncommon version of karate that includes joint locks and grappling that ordinary karate does not train for.

“I fell in love with it right away,” sophomore Scarlett Stamos said.

Scarlett was born and raised in London before moving to Kansas at age 10. She waited only a year before starting her Karate journey, sparked by the love she and her sister, senior Mia Stamos shared for their Taekwondo 5th-degree black belt grandpa.

Hearing thrilling stories of him breaking boards and becoming head instructor for the Golden Kick Taekwondo studios in LA made both sisters eager to learn the art of Kempo. Scarlett wasn’t able to start as soon as Mia did due to a medical complication forcing her to be unable to take any physical hits.

Mia got the head start in London practicing Zendo — a type of karate that includes more kickboxing. Scarlett was always jealous of her sister’s skills because she was unable to start and was counting down the days until she could learn herself.

After recovering from surgery, 11-year-old Scarlett began training and instantly found her dojo, Aplomb Martial Arts in Corinth Square, as a second home. Quickly moving up in belt degrees due to her determination and work ethic, she fell in love with the art of Kempo and its flank headlocks and shoulder grabs.

Scarlett quickly realized Karate was something she could see herself doing for the rest of her life, so when her sensei offered her the chance to become one herselfi — a martial arts instructor — she took the opportunity instantly.

“The training was a lot more intense than I expected but it was a super special opportunity for her,” Scarlett’s mom Chantal Stamos said. “Only a few students were asked to be a part of the program, so it was an honor for her to be asked.”

Scarlett started the three-month training at the beginning of this summer. The training consisted of going in three times a week on top of normal training and working on the specific moves, skills and ways to train the students. Scarlett taught them the correct way to hold position and do kicks.

Three months later, Scarlett was officially a sensei, receiving her red teacher belt with pride with her family there watching.

“It’s very cool,” Mia said. “She knows quite a bit more than me. It’s a little annoying having a little sibling know more, but I’m very proud.”

Scarlett hasn’t burnt out of the sport since. Training large and small groups of people each week has made her appreciation for the physicality and mental strength of Kempo grow. 

She’s currently a green belt with a brown stripe  — only two belts away from a black belt. A brown belt and three degrees within it stand between Scarlett and accomplishing the highest rank of a black belt, which she expects to take a while.

Still, Scarlett hopes to turn her love for Kempo into her job one day and open her own dojo.

“She is the most determined and hard-working girl. I know she may be shy but when she needs to be outgoing and helpful she is amazing.” Scarlett’s sensei said.