Gore School Adds Programs; Buys Land for FFA

Gore Schools are adding three new programs to the curriculum this year. In Outdoor Education, students in grades 9 through 12 will be able to take archery and sporting clays classes. And, for the first time, students will also be able to participate in Future Farmers of American (FFA) in grades 8 through 12.

School Superintendent Lucky McCrary said the school board has approved the purchase of land adjoining the school where a FFA facility will be built.

McCrary said students report for classes on Aug. 12.

The archery class is through the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). The program was developed by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, the Department of Education and Mathews Archery in 2001. The purpose was to inspire students to spend more time with wild things in wild places.

According to NASP officials, teachers learn how to set up and operate a safe archery range in their gymnasium. They are taught whistle signals used to move students to various taped lines on the range floor or ground to get bows, shoot and go get arrows.  They learn how to determine a student's dominant eye and make a string bow training aid to teach the "Eleven Steps of Archery Success." Students learn form, shot execution and follow through and how to take care of their equipment. The equipment is provided to the student, McCrary said.

The Sporting Clays program was developed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, McCrary said, and is offered through FFA. The class is clay target shooting for students in grades 9 through 12. Students must have their own equipment.

Martin Lincoln will be the instructor for the archery and shooting classes.

An instructor for the FFA program is to be hired at the Gore School Board meeting Monday, McCrary said.

FFA is an intercurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership, and has a long history in Sequoyah County. FFA is committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show, held in March, features both FFA and 4-H members who have worked throughout the year to raise their own livestock.

The Gore School FFA facilities will be built on the land adjacent to the school property. McCrary said the school board will know more about the purchase at their Monday meeting.

McCrary said students report for classes on August 12 and concluded, "We are just looking forward to kicking the school year off and having a great year."

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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