MADISON – During the 2017 fall semester, Bob Jones High School launched an archery program as a new option for students.

“The objectives for starting the team and program were to provide another outlet for our cadets, as well as other students who have experienced archery in their previous schools to continue with the archery experience,” aerospace science instructor Ellis Q. Clark said.

Clark retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant. He works with cadets in Air Force ROTC at Bob Jones.

“Archery is a disciplined sport, and any student can participate, regardless of gender, size or athletic ability,” Clark said. “Every student’s focus is to improve his or her personal archery skills.”

Currently, students participating in the archery program are Hannah Gulley, Hannalyn Wilks, Faith Hashimoto, Kaye Sawyer, Ethan Mawhirter, Alexis Mawhirter, John Penley, Jada Pyndell, Victoria Marsh, William Spiegel, Eric Petersen, Nickolai Fadairo, Amber Apperson, Erin Shelton, William Caballero, Nickolas Valentin and Michael McAnnally.

“We had a very productive year” and resolved any initial snags with the program, Clark said.

“I do intend to have our folks enter into some local competitions so that they can experience what it’s like to compete in something other than drill and marksmanship competitions” that the students experience in AFJROTC.

Some of the elementary schools in the Madison City Schools district already have established archery programs and have participated in local and regional contests. “We have not had any interaction with the teams from the elementary schools yet, but that is something that is on my list of things to do this semester,” Clark said.