By Tom Rohrer
According to Master Jason Lee and his sister, Master Angie Lee, strong knowledge and skill in martial arts are not all you need to be successful in their occupation.
“My father, Grand Master Young-Hak Lee, always says you have to memorize every student’s name. We have over 600 students, and we know every one of them on a personal level,” notes Master Jason. “They aren’t just a number who walks through a door. The student is an individual, and we treat them exactly like that.”
This personal touch has been a staple of the Lee family since the first U.S. Martial Arts Center (USMAC) facility opened in 1983. Thirty-one years later, there are currently three locations in the Thurston County area, continuing a tradition of personal growth for all those who enter through the U.S. Martial Arts Center’s doors.
The equal focus on the mental and physical aspects of martial arts is a testament to the continued instruction of Grand Master Young-Hak Lee, who at age 64 still oversees the facilities. Growing up, Masters Jason and Angie had the opportunity to learn and work under their father and have seen the benefits throughout their lives.
“We developed that sense of discipline and confidence early on. As you grow up, you face a lot of peer pressure, and we could stay out of trouble and have chances to be successful because we understood how important every choice is,” explains Master Jason, who graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in economics. “Some people didn’t have that foundation, and we could see how it effected them personally and professionally.”
“There is no self-entitlement, no complaining in our instruction and that’s the same way we grew up,” adds Master Angie, a former IT professional. “We can relate to our students in that way, because we know what they are experiencing.”
Grand Master Young-Hak Lee remains one of the state’s foremost authorities in marital arts and Taekwondo, and is known for his trail blazing efforts to promote and teach the sport in the region. In 1989, Grand Master Young-Hak Lee created Governor’s Cup, an annual marital arts competition that has grown into the largest of its kind in Washington, drawing participants from surrounding states. Today, his son and daughter are co-directors of the tournament. “It’s an amazing event,” says Master Jason, when reflecting the tournament’s ability to bring in 660 competitors. “People across the state look forward to it every year.”
Taking a note from their father, Master Jason and Master Angie have created an annual fundraising event, in celebration of their 30th anniversary in Thurston County. Their Board Break-A-Thon provides an opportunity for students of U.S. Martial Arts Center to raise pledges from the community for every board they break. All proceeds benefit the North Thurston Education Foundation Student Assistant Grant and the Olympia School District Principal’s Emergency Check Book Fund. In the past two years, students have raised more than $40,000 for these organizations.
“We want to create a stronger community and teach our students to be proactive in helping their community. We require all students to perform a certain amount of community service before they graduate to black belt” explains Master Jason.
Along with the Governor’s Cup and the Break A-Board-A-Thon, USMAC’s instructors provide students in the North Thurston and Olympia School Districts enrichment through demonstrations and character development during the school year. “Our outreach programs allow us to effect kids we may not see in class,” comments Master Jason. “It exposes them to the benefits of Taekwondo and you can see improvements quickly.”
Improvement and community pride are easy to spot inside USMAC. Second and third generation students enter the facilities on a daily basis, Master Angie Lee says ages range from pre-kindergarten to grandparents. Certain classes and instructional periods feature entire families all learning at a pace tailored to the individual.
“You wouldn’t teach an adult in their 30s or 40s the same way you would instruct a five year old,” describes Master Jason, the head master instructor at the West Olympia location. “Older students want detailed instruction and a plan laid out. That same plan may be way too serious and complicated for our younger students. Instead of putting everyone under the same umbrella, we can adjust accordingly.” By learning side-by-side, families can strengthen their bond while exercising their body and mind.
“It’s very rewarding to spend time like that as a family,” says Master Angie, the head master instructor at the South Lacey location. “It teaches social skills, interaction and you can feel the sense of camaraderie during the classes.”
The Master Lee siblings came back to the area for the family experience. Master Jason entered the banking field following his graduation from college and eventually realized it was not the right match.
“I returned home and started working with my dad. The spark returned and I haven’t had a bad day of work since. It’s the right fit and something I get a lot of joy from and that was part of the message I relayed to my sister.”
“Having that passion for your profession is very rare in life,” adds Master Angie. “Our job is Taekwondo, teaching, and helping the community.”
Both Master Jason and Master Angie continue to fuel their passion to instruct in part through their father’s spirit.
“We see that passion in our father every day. He enjoys his job so much and he loves teaching our students,” says Master Angie of her father, who moved to California from Korea in 1978. “There are times where he brings something new to a lesson. We say ‘hey, show us that again.’ He’s always progressing, always learning new things and that’s very inspirational.”
In a sport that’s constantly evolving, the U.S. Martial Arts Centers will continue to shift with it. Master Jason Lee said a new 10,000 square foot facility will open this year while Master Angie Lee noted that USMAC will increase its involvement within local schools.
“We need to continue to grow and help this community in a positive way,” says Master Angie Lee. “This is our third decade in the area and we have a responsibility to maintain our standards.”
For more information on the U.S. Martial Arts Center, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
