Youth Spotlight: Leo Trujillo kicks past limits at The Martial Arts Institute

At just six and a half years old, Leo Trujillo is already proving that determination can outpace any obstacle. A first grader at Cottonwood Valley Charter School, Leo is known for his respectful demeanor, helpful spirit, and popularity among peers. But it’s his journey through martial arts that truly sets him apart.

Trujillo’s early years were marked by developmental challenges. His mother, Brooke Scarberry, recalls that during his time at Head Start, Trujillo struggled with balance and coordination, issues rooted in sensory and motor delays from infancy. Though he was evaluated through the school system, his difficulties weren’t deemed academic enough to qualify for therapy services. “It was frustrating,” Scarberry said. “They acknowledged the problem but couldn’t offer help.”

That changed when Trujillo was introduced to Taekwondo when his stepfather met Misty Millhorn through a mutual friend. What began as a casual extracurricular quickly became transformative. Within just a few months at The Martial Arts Institute of Socorro, Trujillo was balancing on one foot and executing high kicks with precision. “It was uber impressive,” said his stepfather, Zach Holcomb. “We didn’t expect it to help so much, but it did.”

Now two and a half years into his training, Trujillo holds a white belt with a gold stripe and is preparing to test for his gold belt this September. His goal? To earn his black belt, then continue beyond it to become a grandmaster and open his own martial arts school.

“He’s incredibly focused,” said Holcomb. “Taekwondo didn’t just improve his coordination; it gave him so much more confidence and drive.”

Outside the dojo, Trujillo’s progress is just as remarkable. He’s thriving academically, having finished kindergarten with proficiency in all areas and now excelling in first grade. He’s also joined the school’s running club, where he trains alongside students from kindergarten through eighth grade, holding his own with kids twice his size.

Trujillo’s ambitions stretch beyond martial arts. Inspired by Holcomb’s background in law enforcement, Trujillo consistently says he wants to be a detective when he grows up. “A Taekwondo cop,” Holcomb said. “That would be awesome.”

Whether he’s helping classmates, mastering high kicks, or sprinting across the playground, Trujillo is a testament to what happens when resilience meets opportunity. His story reminds us that with the right support and a little spark, even the smallest feet can take giant leaps.