SILER CITY — What an achievement for Siler City’s Edna Gonzalez Santana.
Santana, still short of reaching double digits at the age of nine, received her Black Belt from Larry Mabe, owner and operator of the Iron Hand Hapkido School in Siler City.
“It was a pleasure working with Edna,” said Mabe. “She is dedicated to the art of Hapkido, has a good attitude and works well with other students.”
Santana began Hapkido when she was only six years old and after three years of training says that she is very proud of her achievement.
“I’m grateful for Mr. Mabe for inspiring me to be great and I now understand it takes hard work to achieve your goals,” she said. “I want to thank my family who were always there to take me to the lessons and to watch me train and I dedicate my achievement to the people that love and care about me including my classmates who have become good friends.”
Mabe, a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido and 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo, says classes run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Iron Hand Hapkido School is located at 233 E. Raleigh St. in Siler City and can be reached at 919-548-3182.