Teachers Aim to Improve Student Confidence

CHEYENNE – Eighteen Triumph High/Community Based Occupational Education faculty and staff were students of archery on Monday, Oct. 10 at Cheyenne’s Storey Gym.

Instructed by world-class archers Jennifer and Amanda Nichols of Cheyenne, teachers and staff learned the history, safety and technique required to teach archery to their students in the future.  Participants took turns shooting at targets and assisting one another with proper form.

Archery in the Schools is one component of the Outdoor Recreation Education Opportunities program Triumph High/CBOE students are participating in this school year. 

The OREO program is a cross-curriculum approach, integrating outdoor experiences and hands on activities with traditional math, science and writing skills.

Triumph/CBOE faculty hope archery can help their students gain confidence, become more physically active and serve as a competitive outlet.

“Archery is something our students can use outside of the classroom to stay physically active,” says physical education instructor Jeremy Cartwright.  “It’s also something our students can compete in and experience success.  We don’t offer traditional sports, so this is a great activity to motivate students.”

Jennifer Nichols agrees.  As a member of the women’s archery team for the 2008 Olympic games, she’s been participating in competitive archery for the last ten years and sees personal growth as a benefit of the sport.

“Archery is a challenge you give to yourself.  As you practice, you can see improvement and feel a sense of success which helps build your confidence,” she says.  “It’s exciting to work at something fun like archery and see results.  I hope their students can learn to love the sport and one day, enjoy it competitively.”

The event was coordinated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department OREO Coordinator, with the help of a grant from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming.  Both the teachers and sponsors hope integrating traditional classroom and outdoor skills will help students experience success in school and get them hooked on Wyoming’s great outdoors.