January – What do people value most in life? Some people might consider this a simple question; others, not so much. There are just some things that people consider to have less value when you think they may have more, and vice versa.
Being an archer on a NASP® archery team is something that has a high value to me. To be a NASP® Student Contributor is not only be a success for me but also allows me to represent my family, my team, my school, my country, and more. Knowing that I am able to help younger or older archers with something that might trouble them, share a fun archery story, or teach a new technique is so exciting. Writing the articles and watching them come together is also a fun part of being in the NASP® Student Contributor Program. Last year, it helped me realize that I can be recognized for more than just skill—for involvement. Everyone should know they aren’t just known for skill alone.
Looking back at my archery experience allows me to see the steps I took to get where I am in archery today.
(Not on a Team) Year 1: I was in 3rd grade, sitting at home, when my parents mentioned that my teacher texted them. Curious as to what it was, I asked, and they told me my teacher was helping my elementary school put together an archery team. Well, that was fantastic! But… knowing how large my vocabulary was in 3rd grade, I thought it was pottery. Anyway, I went to see what it was, and I loved it. The coaches let me shoot on the side even though I wasn’t officially on the team. Unfortunately, the team ended after just a few practices.
(Not on a Team) Year 2: When I was in 4th grade, the elementary school still didn’t have an archery team. My older sister, who was in 7th grade at the time, was on the middle school archery team. Her coaches allowed me to shoot with the team, and I even got to practice a few times at their range.
(Not on a Team) Year 3: By 5th grade, my sister was still on the middle school archery team, and I got to shoot with them a few times. But this was the year COVID-19 struck. In 2020, every school activity shut down due to social distancing, including archery, and I was devastated.
(Team) Official Year 1: In 6th grade, we started school online. Eventually, we switched to an A and B schedule, where I went to school half the week. That year, my parents took over the middle school archery team to get it started again. It was my first official year being on an archery team, and this is where I met most of the friends I have now.
(Team) Year 2: My 7th-grade year went smoothly. My parents were the coaches for the middle school team again, and my dad also decided to coach the high school archery team for my 10th-grade sister.
(Team) Year 3: I was at the top of middle school in 8th grade, and my journey in archery continued. This year, our team got recognition from the school when we made it to the state tournament and, for the first time, the national tournament.
(Team) Year 4: Finally, I entered high school. I think of high school as the start of my career. High school gave me the chance to prove I was both skilled and smart. At the start of the school year, I thought this would be the year to break personal best after personal best, but things didn’t go as planned. My scores went down, and I wasn’t sure why. Even though I was a bit discouraged, I kept a big smile on my face and kept moving forward.
Then I got the chance to become a NASP® Student Contributor through my coach. I decided to share tips for archery and tell my archery stories. This made me feel a lot better. I realized that no matter my skill in archery, I could still tell my stories and share my tips. Throughout the season, I wrote articles, and by the end, I got recognition in archery—not for my skill, but for my involvement. I was featured in the local newspaper as “Tuesday’s Teen” and named Archery Girl of the Year for our county. At our team’s banquet, I spoke about the experiences I gained through archery and encouraged others to find their own stories.
(Team) Year 5!: I’m happy to say I’m part of the high school archery team again and continuing my story, which won’t end anytime soon. This year, I hope to accomplish even more than last year and share my story with everyone. My scores are improving, and I’m making more friends. I’m also looking forward to continuing my journey of writing articles for NASP® for people to read.
