Waverly Community Schools

Waverly Middle School Students to Participate in State Archery Tournament

04/26/2007

On Tuesday May 2nd, from 3:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m., the Waverly Middle School will be hosting an in-house State tournament at which 30 archers from the school will get the opportunity to participate in an archery competition with their peers. The top eight male and top four female scores will be submitted to the State to compare with other Michigan schools that are competing. If Waverly Middle School has the top team score in the State, the team will be competing in the United States Invitational Championship in Louisville, Kentucky on June 9th, 2007.

The Physical Education Department at the Waverly Middle School received a $2600.00 grant to purchase equipment for the National Archery in the Schools Program (N.A.S.P.). The grant was a 50/50 match from the Department of Natural Resources and the Bohning Company out of Lake City, Michigan. With the grant money, the following equipment was obtained: five targets, 11 Genesis compound bows, target carts, Kevlar screen, Easton arrows and two bow stands. Two of the middle school physical educators, Mr. Wilson and Ms. DeBrabander, attended a Basic Archery Instructor (B.A.I.) class taught by Mary Emmons, coordinator of the N.A.S.P., within the Department of Natural Resources. The archery unit will be taught at the middle school in both the 7th and 8th grades. The students will also have an opportunity to participate in an after school archery club.

The focus of N.A.S.P. is to teach students in grades 4-12 the basics of shooting target archery as a part of the in-school curriculum. Students learn target shooting skills, the importance of safety, responsibility, and more importantly, they enjoy the activity. For some students, it is a rare opportunity to try something new. For many students, it may be the first time to experience success in an athletic endeavor, which may result in their participation in this lifelong activity.