Archery Students Hit Bull's-Eye With Berth in National Tournament

When Angelo L. Tomaso physical education teacher Doug Clark asked permission to start an archery club at the school, he told school officials it could help teach students self-confidence. After all, kids can point and release an arrow as effectively as an adult, if taught the right techniques.

Taking kids to the National Archery in the Schools Program National Tournament wasn't really part of the plan—which meant the team members and their parents had to scramble a bit when they learned the team qualified to participate in the tournament.

"I just hoped they'd get the basic techniques down," Clark said Friday, after the school held a rally for the students selected to participate in the tournament in Louisville from May 9 to 11.

Clark attributed the students' success to the fact "they worked really, really, hard," but the parents give a fair amount of credit to Clark, a certified instructor.

After getting the green light from school officials, and equipment from the school's PTO, Clark launched the program. He submitted the students' scores online to the state archery program—and was stunned to learn ALT boasts four of the five best boys and four of the five best girls in the state for their age group. 

"I had to read the email three times to make sure I was reading it right," he said.

He said he reached out to the students' parents to tell them the news, and the arrangements for the trip were made.

"I'm grateful to the parents, and I'm grateful to the kids," Clark said.

But while everyone's excited about the pending national tournament, Clark is keeping his focus on the original goal of the program.

He said he was most proud of a student who started out a bit shaky, unsure she could hold the bow and stretch the string enough to power an arrow.

But he noticed after a few practices, she was standing with her arm extended straighter, and firmly gripping the bow.

When he complimented her, she said, "Honestly, I feel more confident now," Clark said.

Bull's eye!