Educators are always looking for ways to improve student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance and focus. Magnolia teacher Jesse Robinson strives to achieve educational standards – regarding development of the students’ listening and observation skills – and hopes to engage each student in the educational process through the school’s newest sport – Archery.

Wildlife Conservation agencies in West Virginia, as well as other states, are concerned that too many young people are forgoing learning outdoor skills that will inspire them to spend more time with wild things in wild places. Natural resource professionals are convinced learning target shooting skills will result in character and self-reliance development that will serve the future of wildlife conservation well.

With the program in its third season, Robinson has expanded Magnolia’s participation to 33 shooters; that includes 15 seniors, eight juniors and five sophomores and freshmen.

West Virginia has 300 schools participating in archery, with schools to host tournaments and have virtual tournaments to qualify for states. A team for states will consist of 12 students, four of which must be of opposite gender.

Magnolia will host a tournament on March 17, with away tournaments being at Buckhanon Upshur on Jan. 13; Multi-state tournament at Marshall University of Feb. 3; Cameron on Feb. 13; and at John Marshall, to be announced for some time in March, with the states on March 24.

Participating for Magnolia are seniors Will Akers, Hunter Huggins, Megan Cunningham, CJ Fotterster, Bennie Hall, Michelle Morris; Clayton Young, Clayton Myers, Mady Kocher, Kara Starkey, Tyler Suter, Molly Witschey, Levi Gump, Curtis Tedrow, and Barry Dennis. Juniors participating are Josh Arrick, Jay Eller, Damon Witschey, Tyler White, Kameron Melott, Cearis Leek, Devon Knight and Jake Pennell. Sophomres are Macayla London, Devin Hall, Tanesha Yoho, Abby Wise and Kiera Morgan. Freshmen are Jared Young, Wyatt Bard, Alex Norton, Cassara Cooley and Sadie Yoho.

Through this program, Magnolia students have been given the opportunity to become involved in a life skill that has no barriers. Archery, unlike many sporting activities, is something in which boys and girls of all sizes can easily become involved, whether they are in school or out.

With the strong interest in bow-hunting and competitive shooting in West Virginia, there are unlimited opportunities for students to participate in this activity outside the classroom and throughout their lifetimes.

“And this is something that doesn’t have to be over once you finish. You can do this forever,” said Robinson. “No matter if archery is in these young futures or not, I hope that some of the discipline and devotion that’s learned here-should last forever.”