In October, 1,071 kids from around the world arrived at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex to compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) World Tournament. The three-day competition included students in grades 4 thru 12 from 28 states, Canada , New Zealand and South Africa .
Michigan student Emily Bee, a Hartland High School sophomore, emerged from the tournament a world champion archer. Bee scored 292 out of a possible 300 points earning first place in the female division and a NASP World Tournament title.
“When my name was called, I couldn’t believe it, I’m still in shock that I’m first in the world,” Bee said. Bee won more than $4,000 in scholarships, two new bows and a target, among other honors. Hartland also did well as a team, finishing fourth overall and only 15 points from first place.
“The Hartland archery program is an excellent representation of the Department of Natural Resources’ Archery in the Schools Program,” said Mary Emmons, DNR Archery Education coordinator. “Under Hartland Coach Rob Jellison’s direction, the school’s archery team has acquired seven state championships, two top five finishes at worlds, one national champion and one world record since the program started in 2007.”
DNR Director Rodney Stokes honored Bee at a recent Natural Resources Commission meeting for her world record achievement by presenting her with a plaque and a letter from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.
“There is no doubt in my mind that archery is a challenging sport, both physically and mentally, but you can truly get children of every age, size, and athletic ability shooting arrows safely down range,” said Jellison, “I love seeing some of my star athletes from other sports shooting on the same team as students who have never been on a ‘team’ until archery.”
The DNR Archery in the Schools introduces international-style target archery to students in 4th through 12th grade physical education classes. The in-school curriculum’s core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. To date, more than 500 schools across Michigan have implemented the program.
The DNR offers free archery certification classes for teachers. Additionally, archery equipment grants are available to schools, both public and private, that enroll in the Archery in the Schools program.
For more information on Archery in the Schools, contact Mary Emmons at 517-241-9477 or by email at emmonsm@michigan.gov. Information also is available online at www.michigan.gov/archery.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr
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