The cadets filed in a single line to collect their new bows and arrows from the rack and then lined up in front of their targets. As JROTC Senior Army Instructor Jaime Lawrence called out each step, the cadets planted their feet firmly in the grass, drew back their arrows and released them toward the targets.
The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) introduced a new archery program this year and created an archery team called the Golden Arrows of Eagle Battalion. The team consists of 24 students, divided into two teams: Alpha and Bravo.
The Army opened the archery program to JROTCs nationwide in 2022, and Lawrence opted to bring it to RHS. After running it by the principals, the program was open to students through the physical fitness program.
Senior Cadet Nancy Paniagua said she first heard about the archery program in her sophomore year, and her first thoughts were how it was going to work out and where they would shoot. She said she was curious since they’re not allowed to shoot with guns.
“It just caught my eyes because it’s an opportunity to do something similar,” Paniagua said.
Paniagua said she’s never shot with a bow and arrow or anything similar, so she feels like this is a great opportunity for high schoolers to learn how to.
“I get the opportunity to do things that I’ve never done before,” Paniagua said.
Since no other instructor or coach was certified to teach, Lawrence decided to get certified last year. He attended an all-day event where he learned about range and bow safety, operation, how to teach students and shooting techniques.
He also learned the 11 principles of archery which he teaches to his students: stance, nock, draw hand set, bow hand set, pre-draw, draw, anchor, aim, shot set-up, release and follow-through. Once the cadets know the principles, Lawrence takes them outside to start shooting.
“I start spending time and make sure you know how to apply the arrows, fall through the safety and proceed and engage the target at close range of five yards,” Lawrence said.
The batallion practices outside after school twice a week on the field. They set up targets and use a Genesis string bow to shoot from close range up to 15 meters apart.
“The string bow focuses on the 11 principles of how to shoot properly before you even engage with the bow,” Lawrence said.
Freshman Cadet Nevaeh Spell said it’s her first time doing archery, and she’s already got the hang of it. She said the first day of practice was hard, but once she got used to the bow, it was easy.
“I definitely learned how to specifically shoot a bow, how to stand and how to pull it back and it has definitely made an impact,” Spell said.
Paniagua said that through practice, she has learned how to aim more accurately by focusing on “following through” with the bow and arrow.
Archery is also included in the JROTC curriculum this year, where students have lessons on safety procedures and the fundamentals.
The Golden Arrows of Eagle Battalion completed their first archery tournament with Baltimore, Maryland, online. Each cadet shot three practice arrows per five meters, three practice arrows per ten meters and three practice arrows per 15 meters. Then they shot two sets of ten meters, one shot group of ten meters and two shot groups of fifteen meters. Then, the cadets score each other from one to 10 based on where their arrows land on the target board, and Lawrence ensures the scores are accurate before signing them.
“They’ll score and let us know how we competed against other schools across the United States,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence said they’re hoping to compete at the St. Jude’s Hospital fundraiser drive and several other competitions through JROTC, which will start in January.
“We’ll look for a couple of local competitions and possibly shoot the national archery competition in March,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence said as an instructor, he’s learned a lot, such as improving his shot group and technique.
“I also [learn] how much more the cadets learn and handle the responsibility and the excitement of being able to learn how to conduct and do these things,” Lawrence said.
