Liberty organizes archery team
MADISON – A meeting in May led parents, students and administrators in their determination to found the Archery Team at Liberty Middle School. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – A meeting in May led parents, students and administrators in their determination to found the Archery Team at Liberty Middle School.
During summer break, 16 core members of the team raised needed funds to buy equipment. Members attended the prestigious U.S. National Target Championships, U.S. Open and Easton Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Nationals and sold official USA merchandise and archery jewelry.
Jenni Edmunds, event manager for USA Archery, invited the Liberty team to attend and conduct fundraising. “This is the first time we have had youth working at our official merchandise booth and given them a sales percentage to help start a local team,” Edmunds said.
“We loved their support through the event. The families were just absolutely wonderful, but I was truly amazed at how well the kids stepped up,” Edmunds said. “They were just precious. We plan to continue this new program at future events.”
Cole Kelley, special education/collaborative teacher at Liberty, is serving as the archery team’s head coach.
While at the championships, Liberty’s team interacted with the USA Olympic Team, USA World Cup Team and world champion archers. They also met city and county officials.
In addition, Stuart Goldsby gave private coaching at the “Try Me Archery Range” run. Goldsby works as Hunter Education Coordinator for Outdoor Alabama with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“One of the highlights for the Liberty team was meeting youth archers from Taiwan and China and exchanging gifts with them,” volunteer assistant coach Dr. Molly King said.
Liberty archers gave mint-sealed Alabama quarters featuring Helen Keller to the Asian youth. “Liberty students were surprised when the Asian youth knew who Helen Keller was and had studied about her in school,” King said. The Asian students gave pins from their countries to the Madison students.
USA Olympic Archer Champion Brady Ellison signed Alex King’s team shirt.
In other fundraising, Liberty archers sold 200-plus discount cards for Stevie B’s Pizza.
“Liberty’s inaugural archery team began the new school year looking forward to starting an archery club, recruiting new team members, beginning practice, holding tryouts and competing in their first tournament as a team,” King said.
