Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : May 7, 2007

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Second Annual “ West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program” State Tournament to be held May 19th at Braxton County High School

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section will be hosting its second annual West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament at Braxton County High School on May 19th, 2007, 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 three years, the program has grown over six times in size with 125 schools currently participating. During this time the program has reached more than 20,000 students, making it one of the DNR Wildlife Resources Section’s largest and fastest growing educational programs.”

Students from 31 of the following schools will be participating in this year’s tournament:

“Our goal when we started the program was to inspire young people to spend more time in the outdoors and to take a greater interest in their education,” said Scott Warner, who is coordinating the archery program. “If the tournament is a benchmark of how successful this program has become, let’s just say it’s nearly doubled in size since last year. Thanks needs to be given to Braxton County High School for allowing us to host the tournament at their school, and to school districts around the state for their continued support in allowing their students to participate in this nationwide program. Also, special thanks needs to be given to tournament volunteers and wildlife organizations for their commitment in assisting us again with this year’s tournament, because without them this program would have not become the success it is.”

   The tournament is open only to schools that have received the archery training provided by the Wildlife Resources Section. For more information on the WV Archery in the Schools Program or to attend the next training which is schedule for July 16 th and 17 th in Putnam County, visit our Web site at www.wvdnr.gov

Editor's Note: The tournament will be held in Braxton County High School 's gymnasium from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. , and will be followed immediately by the awards ceremony.

**DNR**