The Vero Beach Karate Association has been teaching martial arts in Indian River County for over 40 years. During this time we have approached this activity with the goal of helping parents and teachers in the development of high achieving, young ladies and gentlemen. Academics has been a vital part of this approach with the goal of having our students reach Black Belt and then receiving a College Scholarship from our organization. This approach has produced hundreds of fine young Black Belts who have gone on to college and become successful in many diverse fields, including medicine, dental, law, teaching and business. Our Head Instructor, Bill Willis, started the United States Karate and Jiu Jitsu Scholarship fund to provide scholarships to our Black Belt graduating seniors. The Scholarship Fund is an established 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Over the past 18 years we have provided over $250,000.00 in scholarships. Students who earn their Black Belts with VBKA and are going to college receive college scholarships. 1st Degree Black Belts receive $1,000.00; 2nd Degree Black Belts receive $2,000.00; and 3rd Degree Black Belts receive $3,000.00. At VBKA we value education and encourage, support, and reward it in many ways!
