Thanks to the partnership of a group of local individuals, and maybe most importantly, the Good Spirit School Division (GSSD), a group of about 31 people, parents and kids combined, will be making a return trip to Orlando, FLA., to take part in the world archery championships.
A small gathering at the Yorkton Wildlife Federation (YWF) on Sunday evening got some last-minute things cleared up before the group leaves Canada for the USA on Monday, Oct. 4.
Among them was the travel agenda which has them flying into Orlando before getting on a Disney line shuttle to their hotel.
Mike Jarvis, one of the coaches who will be accompanying the group, said the sponsorships involved in making the trip financially possible was huge and added that a company in Melville made a larger donation then originally expected.
Jarvis said fundraising throughout the summer months went well and that the cost to make the trip actually went down slightly.
The archery team, made up of students from the Yorkton Regional High School and MC Knoll, will all be donning team shirts for the trip with a full list of sponsors on the back, they were also presented with backpacks.
Jarvis had one simple message for the kids going: "Worry about yourself and the target... and nothing else."
Darren Wandy, who has been the YRHS archery coach, made a point of noting the co-operation of the GSSD for allowing each of the students time off from class to take part in the trip to Florida."The director of education is in full support of the program."
Carolyn Hauser will be one of the students making a second trip down south, having been part of the Florida experience last year, says she's really excited to see "everything" including wanting "to hit the parks."
The Gr. 11 student at the YRHS said her "mom is totally supportive" and that the experience she gained from last year's worlds probably gave her what she needs to reach her goal this time around.
"The potential for everyone is good," she says, adding that she is hoping for a "top 10."
"I feel a lot more prepared."
Fundraising efforts included "working a lot of canteens," she mentioned.
Lacey Senchuk, a Gr. 7 student working under the supervision of Mike and Leann Jarvis at the confines of MC Knoll elementary school, is among the students making the trip who haven't had the Florida experience yet.
That is about to change for Senchuk.
All of this "feels like it's coming way too fast," she told the paper moments after having a team picture taken.
She made the very intelligent point of noting that it will probably go by very quickly too.She said she's hoping for a finish in the top 50 in her category.
Wandy usually sounds more like a scientist then a sports team coach whenever the subject of expectations comes up. His is something that doesn't come clear until the competition actually gets going."You never know...," he said following the photo shoot. "It's the level of competition that's there (that determines it)."
"I think our chances are good."
Brayden Jarvis is just one of the shooters that has good potential heading into the worlds but Wandy added that it's not necessarily the finishes that will make the US experience so amazing.
"Teaching them something other than math and science... meet(ing) kids from South Africa."
"I find it really rewarding," Wandy closed.
Among the things on everybody's to-do list should be making sure they all have valid Canadian passports.
