Quotes and Testimonials from
Teachers, Principals and Superintendents
After seeing the
results of two months of after school programming with the National Archery
in the Schools Program, I bought the program for four of our elementary
schools.
Wayne Thurman- Director
of At Risk Services Lincoln County Schools, KY
The archery unit has been a very good addition to our physical education program
at Lone Oak Middle School. Many students who have not had a lot of success in
traditional physical education activities are excelling in archery.
One example of this at our school involved a boy with Down Syndrome. He was in a
regular eighth grade physical education class. He always did his best no matter
what the activity. Archery was no exception. He had never shot a bow before, so
this was a new experience for him. I was worried that he might even hurt
himself, so I really kept a close eye on him. After a little practice he really
started to get the hang of it. The second day that we were doing some shooting
we had a class competition and this boy came in third place out of a class of
about 25. Seeing his face with a great big smile on it and hearing him say
"yeah" while pumping his fist in the air after hitting a bullseye, well that was
priceless.
Barry Tidwell, Physical Education Teacher - Lone Oak Middle School, Paducah, Ky.
“In the city of
Louisville, very few students have any exposure to archery. It is very
rewarding to introduce the activity to the students for the first time. For the
kids who are not "traditional" athletes, you can witness their self-esteem
drastically improve when they experience a little success with a bow."
Kyle McKune, PE Teacher
- Moore Traditional Middle School
In regards to the National
Archery in the School Program here in Kentucky, it is one of the few programs
that is all-inclusive. We do not have a single child in our building, whether
they be gifted and talented, mentally challenged, tall or short, big or little,
male or female, or any sub-group of our population, that does not participate in
our program. It is such a joy to see kids learning, developing skills, getting
involved, and having fun. There is absolutely no down-side to this program.
Any school not offering this to their children is missing a golden
opportunity. Find out more today.
Rich Prewitt ,
Principal - Whitley County Middle School, Williamsburg, Kentucky
What we
basically did was offer archery during our exploratory period. Most of the
students in the school are in Accelerated Reading or Choir during this time.
But we also offer archery from 7:50 to 9:00 for a two week period. At the end
of the two week period another 15 students will take the class while those that
just finished go back to their Exploratory Classes. 15 is a good low number to
work with, and with 405 students in the school we will eventually teach a two
week unit of archery to every student in the building. In addition, we are also
offering archery during our 21st Century Program. This is for 2 hours 3 days a
week. The kids love it. We currently have an shooter of the week, who gets his
or her picture taken and placed on the bulletin board in the front of the
building.
We
appreciate the opportunity that you have given us to bring in a curriculum that
helps the students become more excited about coming to school and gives them a
lifetime activity to participate in.
Aaron D.
Anderson - Pine Knot Middle School Principal
School Email:
aanderson@mccreary.k12.ky.us
School Phone: (606) 354-2511
Jennie,
First of all congratulations on being part of one of the greatest things that
was ever implemented in the public school system. The archery program has been a
great success here at McLean County Middle School. Also congrats on the success
of the state competition that aired on Ky. Afield; I've had students boys, and
girls alike that saw that program and is now asking if they can go compete. My
female students are finding great success, sometimes being a better archer
than their male counterparts. It has really improved kids self-esteem. Thanks
for your part and the KDFW.
Sincerely,
James Sartain, Health/PE - McLean County Middle School, Calhoun, Ky. 42327
(270) 273-5191
The archery program at
Union County Middle School has made a major impact on kids in the P.E.
department. Many of the students at our school are not the competitive type but
really enjoy the archery program. Kids that never wanted to participate in any
activity bug me all the time about shooting the bows. It has really help the
student with low ability or low self esteem, because they are the ones that
usually will win the shooting competition in class. We are planning to start an
after school archery program and compete in this years State Tournament. It was
a great idea to start this program and I am very glad that I was able to get in
the training last year.
Scott Ricks, Physical
Education Teacher - Union County Middle School, Morgantown, Ky.
The thing that I like about the archery
program is the same kids that dominate your "everyday" Physical Education
activities do not always dominate this. It teaches every kid something. The
kids that are normally good at everything in PE class have to learn how to work
at something they are not naturally good at. While some of the other kids get
to feel what it is like to be the best at something. It is something that makes
the average kid feel like a superstar. It also teaches the kids about safety,
and how unsafe habits can cause injury to themselves or others around them. I
have told Jennie before that when this idea was first pitched to me I was the
biggest skeptic, but after doing it for a year and taking a group of kids to one
of the contests I can say I am a big fan of the program.
Drew
Heuertz, PE/Health Teacher - East Jessamine Middle School
”It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away."
A child doesn't have to be
the best athlete on campus in order to achieve high success at shooting the bow
and arrow, and this allows them to experience what it feels like to achieve
something positive. The program also introduces kids to the outdoors and helps
them realize that there is more to enjoying free time than playing video games.
Hank Smith - Stanford
Elementary, Lincoln County, Kentucky
My student story is about
Laura. Laura was a freshman student who had participated in band, but had never
been on any sports team or had never been a part of any other organization. She
asked one day if she could be on the archery team, upon seeing the flyers I put
up around school. She began finding ways to ask me about it everyday and upon
the first practice, arrived at the indoor facility where we were going to shoot.
After learning how, she discovered that she had good hand-eye coordination. She
actually began shooting groups by the first night and by the third practice; she
was hitting a bulls eye group. She informed her dad, when he picked her up, that
she had found her "niche" in High School and gave me a hug as she left. Her
obvious confidence grew, she began encouraging others and by the time we
attended the first statewide shoot, she was no longer the shy, quiet girl, but
the archery spokesperson for our group. Our local Ducks Unlimited chapter
sponsored our team shirts and Laura showed up in a purple bandana with SHS
archery painted on it. She was so excited and so encouraging to others she said
upon our entrance into the arena that she had never been more proud to represent
her school and was smiling uncontrollably. After the competition was ended, we
waited for the following flights to finish. As we did so, I walked over to check
the board and noticed that Laura had one of the highest scores of the day and
that only Middle school archers were ahead of her. It was soon after I
discovered that there were no more High School archers and that Laura was the
first High School State Champion! Words cannot describe the look on her face as
I walked down into the bleachers and quietly told her that she had just won!
Almost immediately, they announced her name as the state champion and our kids
erupted. I have never been more aware of what this program has done for at least
one student and I have never been more proud to be an educator than I was on
that day. Thank you to everyone who started this wonderful opportunity for
students like Laura.
Tommy Floyd, Principal
- Somerset High School, Pulaski County, Ky.
Hey to whom it may
concern:
The archery program has been a lifesaver to have for our students. Our students
can do the work they just need some motivational strategies to get them to do
their work in order to succeed. They have really changed their grades and their
behaviors have decreased. I have less people in ISAP and detention now. They
really work hard to get the archery program. In the past they were allowed to go
to the gym and play basketball for 25 minutes a day if they were good. That
worked for a while but then if they didn't want to do their work they chose not
to. This archery program has been a plus for our special education
students that weren't willing to do work before.
They would cause problems
in the classroom and back talk the teachers. This is not happening now. They
were skipping school and this has decreased.
Mr. Anderson has been excellent with the archery program and has certain
guidelines for this program or they don't get it weekly.
They work really hard and they will really push themselves on Wednesday and
Thursday to get archery. In the past they would quit Wednesday. There have been
several things that the students wanted to say like why are we doing this and
all I have to say is you are working for the archery on Fridays and they get to
work.
I am really pleased with the success and they feel special and it has really
helped the self esteem because they feel success in the classroom and out of the
classroom. They really look forward to going on Fridays. I had two people
that earned it the first week. The second week I had 5 people. They went back to
the classroom and talked about it and it sounded really interesting for these
kids. They really tried hard and wanted to participate. They encourage each
other and they work together to make sure their buddies get to go. I have some
students that are really good at this sport and not successful in anything else.
Kim Young, Math Teacher -
Garrard County Middle School
To whom it may concern:
The archery program at Garrard Middle School has promoted student attendance,
fewer behavioral referrals, and improved academics. This sport has provided a
non-intimidating opportunity for many students who may not have been successful
in the past with other competitive events and sports.
Linda Kyle, Special Education teacher - Garrard Middle School
Quote from: Tim McGinnis, Superintendent of Trigg County Schools
"The archery program is an excellent "vehicle" for moving students forward
academically because of the archery-curriculum units that have been
developed for classroom use."
Quote from: Tina Davis, Athletic Director and Physical Education Teacher for
Trigg County Middle School
"I've never had so much fun coaching a sport in an educational setting in my 20
plus years of teaching. I feel we reach the students academically, socially,
emotionally, mentally and physically through the Archery in Kentucky Schools
Program."
Quote from: Kenny Roark, Principal, Leatherwood
Elementary in Perry County, Ky.
The National Archery In the Schools Program has benefited our school in many
ways. The students who participate have developed more confidence in themselves
and promoted higher self esteem. The archery students who participated at the
state archery tournament last spring had an experience of a lifetime. They are
still talking about their performance and the many professionals in the archery
industry, such as Jennie Richardson and Matt McPherson, who they had the chance
to meet up close and personal that day. Our students are very excited
about this year's upcoming tournament as well.
