West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Archery In The Schools

The newest program at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is actually making history. See how hearing impaired students are hitting bullseyes with a little help from the DNR.

September 28, 2005
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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Justin Rhodes/WV School for the Deaf Student says:
"I think it's fun and everything. I never got to do this a lot. I enjoy doing it."

Justin Rhodes is one of the dozens of students at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind who get to pick up a bow and shoot some arrows.

It's all part of the DNR's Archery in the Schools program. But this is groundbreaking stuff here.

Scott Warner/DNR says:
"This is the first deaf school in the nation to participate in this program. This program was initiated in 2002 and since that time, 26 schools have picked up the program but this is the first school of it's kind and we're blessed to have them."

Just like every other school, these students begin with a little bit of instruction,

"You want to walk back to the line carrying your arrows like this."

"And then you put them in their quiver and walk behind the line."
But this isn't like any other school in the program. These kids who are overcoming severe hearing disabilities face major disadvantages when they compete against other, non hearing impaired kids in other sports like volley ball or football. That's not the case when they pick up a bow in competition.

Bob Haynes/WV School for the Deaf
"The advantage may be on their part this time because of the concentration and focus on hitting the target. The block out the outside noise and the nervousness and concentrate on the target and enhance their chance to hit the bullseye."

It will be a while before these young archers will be competing against other schools. Right now there's the friendly competition between friends.
Justin Rhodes/WV School for the Deaf Student says:
"A couple of other boys were good, a couple of the girls were good. Does that surprise you? Yeah, especially two of the younger ones. They're actually top dog this time."

For a while, there was some question of whether these kids would like this program. Let's find out. Question answered.