Eureka Joshi notches her arrow, fingers gripping the bow string. She draws the string back, as the feathers of the arrow brush her cheek. Her eyes focus on the target in front of her as she catches her breath, sending it flying to hit the target with a loud thud.
Through the University of Idaho’s archery course, students like Joshi, who have no previous experience with the art of archery, have been given the opportunity to explore a new hobby.
“It helps me think better and cope with the everyday stress of graduate life,” Joshi said. “It’s good to be able to participate in a sport and also enjoy it at the same time without any pressure.”
Each student in the class has a different experience with archery. While some students, like Joshi, have no previous exposure to the recreational activity, others have been doing it for years.
Justin Doyle, an avid bow-hunter for most of his life, uses the class as a means to experiment his hobby — from learning different types of bows, to just getting to know other students with different experiences. “It’s a fun course,” Doyle said. “It’s a great opportunity to practice with different types of bows and to learn more about the history of shooting bows.”
Instructor Josie Jensen separates the bows by specific type, recurve or compound, and by the amount of force needed to tug on the string. The variety of equipment benefits both experienced archers like Doyle and beginners such as Joshi. The various targets sit 20 yards across its competitor.
With all the different elements involved in archery, Jensen said the class is a great way to relieve stress.
“To get an A in the class you literally just show up and participate and have a good time,” Jensen said. “I have heard students say it’s a great break from exams and a break from studying for hours.”
Even though archery is not a new course at UI, this is Jensen’s first semester teaching at this university. Jensen was introduced to archery through 4-H as a child. Later, she was certified through the National Archery in Schools Program while teaching at South Dakota State University.
Through teaching the class, Jensen aims to share her love of archery with her students. She hopes to demonstrate ways students can lead an active lifestyle outside of traditional environments.
“I hope that they try something new,” Jensen said. “Some of them are avid archers, but most of them are beginners and they took this course because it is something different. I just want to help instill that curiosity.”
Story by Brianna Finnegan
Photos by Leslie Kiebert
Design by Trent Anderson
Anonymous Joe
An arrow flies. Arrows fly.