– Anna Rawe – Sometimes, archery isn’t just about shooting a bow. While involved in the NASP® program, you learn many life lessons, things that you are able to carry with you for the rest of your life.
I was able to recently sit down with one of my teammates, Katie, who has been on the archery team since the program began here at school. As we were talking I asked her, what was the best thing you have ever learned while in the archery program?
People you see at school could be your best friends. People that you know about and never really got close to could be your best friend. It’s crazy that random people you see in the halls could eventually be your friend.
Katie
I have to say that I totally agree with Katie. There are people on my team that if it was not for archery, I never would have talked to. When I sit in a room with the archery team, it reminds me of the movie The Breakfast Club. If you have never seen the movie it is about these high school kids from all different backgrounds. You have the princess, the jock, the geek, the criminal, and the basket case. Throughout the duration of the movie these characters are in detention together and become close friends- even though they were students that probably never would have talked to each other on a regular basis.
Then I asked Katie, What made you want to join the school’s archery program?
Honestly, when I first found out about the archery program I was not interested. After talking to my friends, they convinced me to try it with them, just as a joke.
Katie
I have been around this program since it was just a dream. It is really remarkable seeing all the kids that join the program because of their friends, but in the end, they stay with it for themselves.
As we continued our conversation, we began to talk about our first experiences with archery. I asked her, “what were your initial thoughts during your first day in the program?
To be quite honest, I don’t really remember my first day because it was my freshman year. But, I remember seeing all these people that I have seen around the school, people I knew the name of but nothing more. I didn’t know it then, but those people were going to become some of my best friends.
Katie
It is unbelievable to me the number of students that I see within the program, that are amazing friends, that before they started shooting, wouldn’t even look at each other.
The conversation shortly progressed into when our peers came to us with questions. I personally have had many other students come to me with questions regarding archery. I have always wondered what others would say to those students, so I asked Katie, “what would you tell other students wanting to join the program?
I will tell other kids that are considering the archery program to try it. I would say this because in archery there is a group for everyone. There’s so many different groups of kids in the program and anyone and everyone is welcomed. Sherri, our coach, makes sure that every student has a place and feels welcomed.
Katie
It brought a smile to my face to hear my teammate tell me what she shares with others. It really shows what archery can do for absolutely everyone.
Anna is a 2022 student contributor. Watch for her future submissions.
