Celebrating 30 Years in the SCV
Shin’s Black Belt Academy was first established in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1983 by Grand Master Hyun Shin, 9th Degree Black Belt and the highest ranking black belt in Taekwondo. In 2000, his youngest son, Master Charlie Shin (now Grand Master) renamed the academy Shin’s Family Martial Arts Center and relocated the school to Stevenson Ranch. In April of 2002, the North Valencia location was opened. In 2007, Shin’s Family Martial Arts Center relocated to their current 12,000 square feet Super Center adding an After School Program, Camps, Trampolines and Tumbling to their dynamic award winning martial arts and self defense program. This past Saturday, October 19th, Shin’s celebrated their 30th year in the SCV. In addition, Master Charlie Shin was promoted to the rank of Grand Master 7th Dan and Dave Eastham and Joey Ferrara both to the rank of Master 4th Dan.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for instilling in me a strong sense of pride, a solid work ethic and for sacrificing everything they had in Korea to bring our family to the United States in hopes for a better life. My brother, John, for always being there and looking out for me no matter what and my sister, Susan, for helping me stay out of trouble as a kid and for teaching me to stand up for myself. I also want to thank the Nakagawa Family, especially Wayne and Brenda Nakagawa, for letting me eat everything in their house growing up (and I’m a big eater!!!) and for teaching me the true meaning of kindness including me in every family vacation, family dinners, helping me financially throughout college and treating me as if I was one of their own.
I would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Nancy Vizcarra who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. She believed in me so much, she invested her entire life savings so that I could expand and grow Shin’s into the entity it is today. She also taught me that if I’m going to give then give freely expecting nothing back in return. I have never forgotten that lesson and I have done my best to share her type of kindness to everyone I come in contact with. I would also like to thank Mr. Trip Mellinger for all his years of mentoring but most importantly for his friendship. You will always have a special place in my heart.
A special thank you to the Arklin Family, especially Steve and Diane Arklin, for all their years of support and mentoring and making me feel like part of their family. I would also like to thank The Anderson Family (Ken & Ilka), The Lomeli Family (Art & Anna), The Lott Family (Kurt & Jane), Rebecca Oda, Stephanie Basore and Merrie Thomsen for their loyalty and unconditional friendship. It means the world to me. I would also like to thank The Eastham and Ferrara Families for raising two exceptional human beings and for instilling in them the same core values that were instilled in me from my parents. A warm thank you to the amazing staff at Shin’s, past and present. Shin’s would not be where it is today without each and every one of you.
Finally, I would like to thank all of our past and present members at Shin’s. You are much more than students, you are FAMILY. I am humbled and honored to be a part of your lives. To have an opportunity to build better futures is something I take very seriously. Thank you so much for allowing me to have the pleasure in joining your family on this wonderful journey to Black Belt and instilling in your children a healthier active lifestyle.
Respectfully Yours,
Grand Master Charlie Shin