Competitor Spotlight
Spotlight Archive (By Last Name)
Valerie Mendez
Competitor: Valerie Mendez
Rank: 2nd Degree Black Belt (Recommended)
Age: 13 Years Old
Team: Butcher
School: Butcher’s Martial Arts Academy
2006 AKA Titles:
Valerie in a uniform other than a Gi!
Believe it or not, Valerie was not always the confident outgoing martial arts dynamo she is today. In fact, when Valerie was but seven, she was an exceptionally shy little girl. Her shyness was so extreme that she often lacked the confidence required to interact with children her own age. However, thanks to a serendipitous decision, this was all about to change and send this young woman on a journey from a shy little girl to an outgoing AKA rising martial arts star.
At seven years old, Valerie tagged along with her brother and parents as the family attended the Grand opening for a martial arts school, as her parents pondered enrolling her brother in martial arts. For Valerie, the purpose of the visit changed when she met Mr. Sublett, and he urged her to, “Just come out here and try it.” Along with her brother, Valerie indeed came out and tried it and has never looked back. Valerie from that time on discovered her love for the martial arts, and she would train under Mr. Sublett for about two years before Mr. Sublett moved to Germany and would later go on to serve his country as a soldier in Iraq.
Valerie was not about to call it quits, and with the help of her parents she started looking for another school. Providence was once again on her side, and delivered her to Mr. Butcher. Wide eyed, Valerie was instantly impressed with Mr. Butcher! It was not simply his awesome technical prowess or his high flying martial arts flips and tricks, but instead it was the combination of these things combined with Mr. Butcher’s positive mental attitude, humbleness and endearing personality which won Valerie over. Valerie has been with Mr. Butcher ever since, and has gone on to earn her second degree recommended black belt under him, and has a total of five national titles to add to her martial arts resume.
Valerie attributes much of her success in other endeavors to the lessons she has learned in martial arts. Being multi-talented, Valerie is also a junior high cheerleader at Farmington High School, a straight “A” student, and has been accepted into the national junior honor society. All of this is thanks to the discipline of Tae-Kwon Do.
When asked about her future goals, Valerie will tell you that she wants to help others and one day open her own martial arts school and fitness center where she can give to others the blessings that have been given to her. Valerie also wants everyone to know that she loves everyone in the AKA southern region, and sees everyone in the region as one big family.