Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : May 11, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

First “ West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program” Tournament

May 20 th at Capital High School

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting what it hopes will be its first annual West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program Statewide Archery Tournament at Capital High School on May 20 th , 2006 , according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources.

  “Since our pilot program began in the fall of 2004, there has been a tremendous amount of interest from schools around the state,” said Jezioro. “In less than two years, the program has more than quadrupled in size with 90 schools participating. With this type of interest it was only a matter of time until we would be hosting our first statewide tournament.”

  More than 300 students from the following schools have registered to participate:

• Cabell Midland High School
• Capital High School
• Central Preston Middle School
• Chapmanville Middle School
• Herbert Hoover High School
• Madison Middle School
• New Life Christian Academies
• Nicholas County High School
• Parkersburg South High School
• Petersburg Middle School
• Petersburg High School
• Ripley Middle School
• Ripley High School
• Sissonville Middle School
• Sissonville High School
• Summersville Elementary
• Summersville Jr. High
• Tygarts Valley Middle School
• Tygarts Valley High School
• Wyoming East High School
• WV School for the Deaf and Blind

  Awards will be presented to the top three boys and girls from each of three shooting classes (Youth 4-6 graders, Junior 7-8 graders, and Senior 9-12 graders) and the top three overall shooters.

  “DNR thanks the local school districts around the state for their continued support in allowing their students to participate in this nationwide program,” said Scott Warner , Program Coordinator. “However, special thanks needs to be given to teachers, volunteers, wildlife organizations; and especially the students, for without them this program would have not become the success it is.”

  The tournament is only open to schools that have received the archery training provided by DNR. For more information on the WV Archery in the School's Program or to attend the next training, visit the DNR's Web site at www.wvdnr.gov

Editor's Note: The tournament will be held in Capital High School 's gymnasium from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm , and will immediately followed by the awards ceremony.

**DNR**