After meticulous evaluation of essays and applications, Absolute Fencing Gear has chosen its four scholarship recipients — two at the $4,000 level and two at the $1,000 level.
The 2022-23 scholarship recipients are:
Essays were written in response to this prompt: "USA Fencing is devoted to developing and celebrating diversity, increasing equality throughout our community, and constantly seeking to create an atmosphere where we are empathetic to our differences and everyone within USA Fencing truly has a sense of belonging. This season's Essay Topic is: (must be at least 500 words) How do you foster and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in your fencing community? What changes would you make to the fencing community in support of DEIB and why? If resources were infinite, what new initiative would you create in your community to increase DEIB?"
Read the winning essays below.
On my first day of kindergarten I started to learn that I was different from my peers. Whether it was comments about my hair or questions about the size of my lips I was fully aware that I stood out from many of my classmates. This feeling would later go on to permeate my time as a fencer. As a woman of color I am often the “only” in the room. Of course, as a seven year old I wasn’t consciously thinking about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at that time. That would all change once I joined my first competition. I started to notice that I was often one of a few (and sometimes the only) fencers of color at competitions. And as I started getting better and achieving results I started to hear people comment on my race. In one smaller mixed event I overheard a parent tell their child, “Did you really just get beat by that black girl?” Even then, I didn’t internalize how many people thought I didn’t belong. It has still not dawned on me that in many ways what I was accomplishing was outside the box of what was often expected of me. I recall distinctly when this changed for me. When I was about 10 years old I attended a regional tournament in NY where Keeth Smart spoke about his life as a fencer. It was the first time I had seen someone who looked like me holding the mic and telling his fencing story. One of the promotional items being sold at this event was a calendar. It was a huge calendar with glossy pictures of fencers. As I flipped through the pages I saw a picture of Nzingha Prescod. There, right in front of me, was a picture of someone who looked like me. She had brown skin and thick curly hair just like me. I turned to my mom and said, “I want my picture to be here someday.”
As I got older I started to realize that new younger fencers who looked like me had similar feelings. One day, I was taking a lesson when a young family of color came in to speak with my coach and see what fencing was all about. I remember the two children sitting transfixed as they watched my lesson. The little girl turned to her mother and said, “Mom, she looks like me.” It was at that moment that I realized the power of representation. Since then, I have worked hard to be a role model for every fencer of color who comes into our club. For the past several years I have volunteered at my club as a junior coach. Two times a week I teach three different level classes. Currently, I am the only woman fencer of color on the staff. I recognize how important this is for new fencers of color and their families and I have made myself the unofficial ambassador for this group. In addition to my work as a junior coach I have also worked as the social media manager for OFC for the past 1.5 years. In that time I have worked to not only elevate our club's successes but also to celebrate diversity by ensuring our club recognizes things such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth, and other opportunities to highlight that fencing is for all.
While we are making forward progress in the area of DEIB there is much more work to do. To so many people fencing is still considered a niche sport requiring substantial financial resources to be able to sustain participation. While USA Fencing is making strides in this area with initiatives such as Fencing the Gap this is not enough. Too often these initiatives offer short term support at times when this support is least needed, in the beginning of a fencer's journey when the expenses are the least. True support of DEIB means long term planning and commitment to a diverse group of fencers, especially targeting fencers in underserved communities, for the entirety of their fencing career. It means ensuring that facilities in these communities have the coaches and resources needed to offer training and opportunities to attend competitions at all levels. USA Fencing should incentivize clubs to open in these communities where rent will often be lower and community members are hungry to just be given the opportunity.
If resources were infinite my first initiative would be to identify two members of underrepresented communities in every USA Fencing club and award these members scholarships for classes, lessons, and travel for the entirety of their fencing career. Showing this level of commitment to dedicated fencers and their families will truly show that USA Fencing is committed to closing the opportunity gap that exists in this sport. My next step would be to bring the clubs to these communities. Personally speaking, it takes me almost one hour by car to and from my club. On days when I have to take public transportation that can sometimes take me two hours each way. Imagine the additional resources I could give back to my club if it were in my backyard. Incentivize new clubs and existing clubs looking to expand to search for locations in these underserved communities. Let these communities see that we want to do more than invest in their youth, we want to invest in where they come from as well. Another idea is to start a training program for fencers who may longer want to compete at a high level who would be interested in being coaches. Finally, and possibly most important, I would focus on bringing college fencing to HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Too many fencers are forced to choose between attending a college that feels like the most appropriate cultural fit and being able to continue to fence collegiately. Expanding NCAA fencing to HBCU’s would be another way that USA Fencing could demonstrate their commitment to long term and sustainable diversity in the fencing community.
DEIB must be more than a program or an initiative. It must be interwoven into the very fabric of USA Fencing. Every member of USA Fencing should be able to see themselves represented in their clubs, at tournaments, in advertising, and the language used.
2021 July Challenge, Cadet Mens Saber. My first tournament after quarantine, and my first NAC. I was scared, but that is not the detail I remember most strongly from that day. Prior to the tournament, I was not aware that I had to print my name on the back of my lamé. As such, when I showed up at my pool, the referee told me that he would penalize me with a red card at the beginning of every round. On top of tournament nerves and my inexperience with NACs, this was shaping up to be a terrible experience for me. Eventually, I took a pen and had a friend write my name on the back of my lamé. Even worse, a group of elite fencers from the previous pool flight pointed at me and made fun of me behind my back. “Ok, Tom Huang,” they jeered, mocking how my first name—rather than my last name alone—was printed. This experience was extremely upsetting, leaving me with the feeling that I didn’t belong in fencing.
Since then, I have made it my mission to ensure nobody felt the same way I did that day. I volunteered as an assistant for an after-school fencing program at my Chinese school, where I helped to teach elementary and middle school students how to fence through footwork and blade work drills. Through my lessons, I served as a role model for younger Asian students, showing them that they were welcome in the fencing community. I serve as a referee in local youth tournaments, where I officiate pool bouts as if they were those of higher-level tournaments to prepare younger fencers for competitions at higher levels.
Thus, if I had the power to change one thing about the fencing community, I would create a more collaborative culture. Within the sport itself, any competent fencer must learn the complicated rules of right of way and advanced tactics on attack and defense. In competition, there are also procedures that must be figured out by experience, such as showing the referee your equipment at the beginning of every pool and listening for your name during direct elimination. Most are left to learn these things through experience, rather than through guidance from peers. In the process, fencers are frequently left not knowing what to do, which discourages them from fencing competitively. To help foster this change, I would create a website that teaches new fencers vital information that their coaches or peers may not inform them of about competitions, such as when to arrive at the tournament venue and how to split warm-up time between footwork and fencing.
If I were given infinite resources and time, I would create a nonprofit organization that promotes equity and fairness in fencing, especially through financial means. Any competitive fencer’s bag easily contains more than $500 dollars’ worth of equipment in the form of lames, jackets, knickers, and cords. On top of that, fencing instruction does not come cheap. Private lessons at my club cost $50 for half an hour, and club membership costs a couple thousand dollars annually. Because fencing is a more obscure sport, it is also not uncommon to also spend hundreds of dollars on travel expenses to out-of-state tournaments. These costs have significant effects on diversity because they make fencing completely inaccessible to those who live in lower-income communities. Consequently, many groups of people are not represented equally in fencing, as not everyone is given an equal opportunity to participate in fencing. In my experience from competing at tournaments, fencers are predominantly white or Asian. This reduced diversity makes fencing an insular, almost obsolete sport of the past rather than one that welcomes all and provides opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. I’ve heard people describe fencing as preppy and aristocratic as a sport that only wealthy people can participate in. The costs of fencing, to some extent, reinforce this stereotype. This should not be the case. Fencing should be a sport that everyone should be able to access without limitations due to their financial situation. The nonprofit would provide need-based financial aid to fencers that cover fencing instruction, equipment, and tournament fees so that anyone who wants to fence can do so without significant investment. Additionally, my nonprofit would provide grants to those seeking to start fencing clubs or school fencing teams. As part of this organization, I would also create awards that grant money to those who have contributed to growing fencing equitably so members of the fencing community are incentivized to include and welcome others.
How do you foster and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in your fencing community? What changes would you make to the fencing community in support of DEIB and why? If resources were infinite, what new initiative would you create in your community to increase DEIB?
For me, DEIB comes into play when I am able to help members of the fencing community understand the importance of inclusivity and learn how to be allies. A couple of times a week, I work at my fencing club as an assistant head coach and lead youth fencing classes for beginner epee fencers aged seven to twelve. These classes are more than just the basics of footwork and blade work. I make sure the kids actively contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment through DEIB principles that they can later incorporate into their athletic endeavors. The fencers come from all different backgrounds and socio-economic statuses, but from 5-6:30 they are all the same- fencers. Sharing my love of fencing with a wide range of individuals helps foster a collaborative and helpful environment, rather than one divided based on predetermined characteristics.
In addition, fostering DEIB requires intentional outreach efforts. I think sometimes you hear fencing referred to as a “niche” sport. But why is that? I believe a large part of that stereotype is accessibility and exposure. Compared to more mainstream sports like football or basketball, fencing has historically had limited accessibility. Fencing requires specialized equipment and facilities, such as masks, jackets, and dedicated fencing strips. These factors can make it less convenient for individuals who may not have easy access to such resources or are unaware of the sport. Also, cultural perceptions of fencing are sometimes associated with a certain level of elitism or exclusivity, stemming from its historical roots and depiction in popular culture. This perception can reinforce the notion of fencing as a niche sport reserved for a select few. As a community, we must break down this stereotype and let it be known that fencing is for all.
Collaboration with local schools and organizations can introduce fencing to a wider range of people, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Establishing funding programs or partnerships with sponsors can provide financial assistance to those who may face financial limitations. Providing scholarships can also address barriers to participation. Affinity groups or support networks can be established within the fencing community to provide individuals with shared experiences and a sense of belonging. Regular feedback channels and forums for discussions can also empower individuals to voice their concerns and contribute to positive changes within the community. By removing DEIB barriers, more individuals can engage in fencing and have equal opportunities to succeed.
If resources were unlimited, one new initiative to increase DEIB within the fencing community could be the creation of a comprehensive mentorship program. This program would pair experienced fencers, coaches, and officials with individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, providing guidance, support, equipment, and opportunities for skill development. Mentors could offer advice on navigating the fencing community, provide networking opportunities, and help mentees overcome challenges they might face. By building strong mentor-mentee relationships, this initiative would empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive in the sport.
Promoting and celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the fencing community requires a multifaceted approach. There are many strategies that can be implemented to help foster DEIB, but I believe that education and empowering individuals to excel in the sport can create a huge impact. USAFencing has made various strides in promoting a more open community, but there is always more to learn and reach to drive more sustainable growth and innovation for the fencing world.
Fencing has long held the reputation of being an elitist sport; an activity and focus that only the rich can afford and pursue. Over the years my fencing club, Denver Fencing Center, has made significant efforts to change this reputation and make fencing an all-inclusive sport regardless of age, income or physical ability. Denver Fencing Center created the Denver Fencing Foundation in 2015 with the goal to promote the sport of fencing, especially to people in underserved populations. This goal resonates strongly with me, and I consistently volunteer for the Foundation. I volunteer with both younger kids’ day and weekend camps and after-school enrichment programs and have found true fulfillment taking on a coaching role that ensures all participants are being heard in the fencing sessions and all students get an equal opportunity to practice skills to feel successful. This has enabled me to build close relationships with students so I can recognize kids who may be struggling more than their peers and may need additional guidance and reassurance. A common theme I see throughout these camps and programs is that the students very heavily skew male, which in the youngest age groups can be extremely deterring to female students as well as less physical boys. Most times when just learning to fence, young boys when given a sword will use every amount of his force to hit the other person. “Punching rather than touching,” as my own coaches have said. In teaching situations with a large number of young boys, I consciously do my utmost best to individually encourage each and every girl – and less physical boy. I praise them for their self-control and courage, sharing my own sometimes dauting and sometimes funny experiences as a 10-year-old girl learning to fence. I give them my heartfelt hope, so they return for the next session and develop a love of this amazing sport without the harsh memory of their first several bruises.
Along with these camps and enrichment programs, Denver Fencing Center and Foundation offers parafencing. I am an active participant in the Walk-and-Roll tournaments the Fencing Center and Foundation host several times a year, where able bodied fencers compete with parafencers in the same events. Although I have occasionally trained as a parafencer when I have experienced foot and leg injuries, it in no way prepared me to be competitive against a full-time parafencer! These tournaments have permitted me to meet new fencing friends and given me an entirely new appreciation for the dedication and skill of these athletes, especially as I cheer for them when they are on the award podium, and I am in the audience. To further my work with the parafencing community in Denver, I am now working to become a certified parafencing referee (having gained my R1 epee referee rating in late 2022 and worked several able-bodied fencer regional and local tournaments).
Inside my immediate fencing community, a change I would desperately like to see is increasing the accessibility of this sport to kids with mental disabilities and challenges. I would love to help my own Denver Fencing Foundation expand into teaching this amazing sport to children and adults with intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder or children who may have developmental delay. The Denver Fencing Foundation already has the structure and equipment in place to take fencing into our regional community supporting the intellectually disabled. It needs additional funding to grow its capacity and expand its scope so it can reach and serve this population. Ultimately, I would love to see the sport of fencing included in the Special Olympics sometime in my lifetime.
Another change I would like to make in our fencing community is to target specific training that raises awareness and increases skills about how to coach neurodivergent children. I am a neurodivergent student myself and I often process information and physical movement differently than my peers. I am extremely lucky to be supported by an amazing head coach who understands my needs and challenges. Yet, I have met very few other neurodivergent members of the fencing community and I think coaching is a large reason why. Often, I have witnessed coaches taking a rough approach with a fencer, and often that will lead a young fencer to dislike the sport and never try it again. I think growing our sport across a more neurodivergent community and being more inclusive to this rapidly increasing portion of children, requires raising the awareness of coaches about neurodivergence. Young and starting out fencers may appear to misbehave and make mistakes their peers don’t because their brains just work differently. These fencers are not being obstinate or disobedient, they just simply can’t process the information or make their body respond fast enough. As more neurodivergent and mentally challenged members of our community are welcomed into fencing, consideration will of course need to be given to the type of accommodations and classifications that need to be created for them to compete against one one another.
If I had infinite resources to create change within my larger fencing community, I would ensure complete access to this sport for absolutely everyone. Every fencing club would have a financial aid program to teach kids to fence who want to try it but can’t afford classes or lessons. Every fencing club would have a dedicated wheelchair fencing program with coaches who have been specially trained in parafencing so that they get just as much guidance and instruction as the able-bodied kids. Every fencing club would have at least one coach who takes a kinder, gentler, and more creative approach to fencing instruction for kids with neurodivergent challenges so that these kids can learn to love the sport and grow into adult fencers, even if they never stand at the top of an awards podium. Every fencing club would have a program to teach and train children and adults who are intellectually disabled so they can learn and participate in this great sport. Lastly, I would implement more joint para and able-bodied fencing tournaments, both team and individual, where these athletes would compete with and against one another so that we can immediately become a more understanding and supportive community across the divisions already part of USA Fencing.