A Blair Oaks parent, Bridget Eisterhold, is urging the Blair Oaks School Board to start an archery program.
One of her children, who will eventually attend Blair Oaks High School, is passionate about archery and she wants him to have the opportunity to play on a school team.
Several local schools including, Helias Catholic High School, participate in the National Archery in Schools Program, which aims to reconnect younger generations with school programs.
Eisterhold approached Blair Oaks about getting involved in NASP in October, and she presented a proposal to the board members during its monthly meeting on Tuesday.
"Archery is a sport for every student and that's probably why it's my biggest passion," Eisterhold said. "There's no trying out, no cutting. Everyone is equal and to have the opportunity to be on a team. It's a sport every kid can do. Students can be learning disabled, handicapped; I've had students in wheelchairs and I've had students on crutches compete."
It's a sport that takes a lot of focus, and she's heard students who participate in archery found they have more focus in school, too.
She estimates the startup costs for an archery team at $9,000, including equipment. She based her estimate on a physical education class of 30 students since one of the requirements of participating in NASP is that archery has to be taught in the school.
With all the grants available, Blair Oaks likely wouldn't have to foot the bill all by itself, she said.
A Blair Oaks High School student, Cole Sandbothe recently participated in a world archery competition in Las Vegas alongside about 3,000 archers. Not being associated with any team, Sandbothe signed up as an individual.
In his division, Championship Young Adult Freestyle, he placed 26th out of 67 in his class.
"It was the most nerve-racking experience I've ever had," he said. "My knees were shaking."
He's been doing archery since he was about 7 years old and practices at the United Sportsman's Club in Jefferson City.
"To have a club here at school, I think I'd have a lot of friends participate," Sandbothe said. "I think it'd be a lot of fun, and it has helped me focus in school."
Blair Oaks School Board President Greg Russell said he was very impressed with the presentation and thought Eisterhold had a lot of valid points.
"It could reach students who may not be able to compete in a sport for whatever reason," Russell said. "I was amazed to hear just how big this has gotten nationwide. Any chance for a Blair Oaks student to succeed is good for the students."
He said the board needs to investigate the logistics of having a club at school, what kind of training is involved and what the liability could be. He said his first concern is student safety, but he knows NASP stresses that.
Superintendent Jim Jones echoed the same sentiment. He hadn't heard of any accidents, but safety is something the board will have to consider before moving forward.
"We have a theory that if we're going to do something here at Blair Oaks, we want to do it right," Jones said. "We have to make sure we dot all our i's and cross all our t's."
As for Sandbothe attending a world competition, Jones said it's quite an honor for the whole community and it's amazing what he's been able to accomplish.
The board will likely discuss the archery club at it's next board meeting, Russell said.
The meeting concluded with the board entering into closed session, using the sections of legal action; hiring, firing or promoting of particular employees; and individually identifiable personnel records, to do so.
The board voted unanimously to enter into closed session.