– Grace Groves – I have been an active NASP® shooter since 2019. In the past three years I have been a NASP archer, I have strengthened my abilities, friendships, and I have created new bonds. NASP® has played a very important role in my life, and it has exposed me to the wonderful world of archery and the people in it. So, what does NASP® mean to me? It has meant new friendships and strengthening old ones. Because of NASP®, I am now able to ask my friends to come over and shoot at my home range with me. NASP® means meeting new people from all over the country that I can talk to about archery and exchange advice with. To me, NASP® is not just archery or a sport, to me it is new relationships and building knowledge in the world of archery.
Another thing that is important about NASP® is the inclusiveness. This means a lot to me and other archers because regardless of a person’s physical abilities or backgrounds, they are still able to compete with other students. This also helps other archers and I gain more confidence around other people. Archers gain more confidence In NASP® archery than any other sport. I believe that this is because archers can communicate with other archers in between ends. I think this is very important to an archer’s confidence because it helps them gain social stamina. Although archery is a competitive sport, I always end up making friends with the competition.
NASP® is also very meaningful to other archers. Many feel that the relationships that they build with other archers are important, but some others feel differently. I asked someone that I built a relationship with because of NASP®; “What does NASP® archery mean to you?” Their reply was “It’s a great sport that makes you focus with every arrow and makes you try hard and be the best that you can be.” This is an excellent example of NASP® meaning many different things to different archers.
Although to some NASP® is about relationships, and others about focus, in the end it is all about having fun and enjoying your experiences!
So, what does NASP® mean to me? To me, it means building friendships, strengthening bonds, and just helping student archers “Stay on target for life!” NASP® always has amazing opportunities for its archers such as becoming a student contributor.
Grace Groves was a 2022 student contributor. Find her past submissions here.
