52 Nebraskaland • August-September 2025
got to practice even more. And they do. They really put their
minds and hearts into it."
That, he said, will carry over later in their lives. "If you put
your mind to it and you work at something hard enough, you
can be good at whatever you do."
"Archery, in general, has taught me to be disciplined,"
Cerise said, "[to] use your time well, and you got to really
work for your goals. It's not just going to happen. You got to
work for it."
The Yorkshire Homeschool Archers
The Yorkshire Homeschool Archers is one of several teams
of homeschooled youths that participate in NASP. Last year,
their second in the program, they had 23 students from York
and the surrounding communities participate, with more
interested in joining next year.
"One of the things we're trying to do is build this so kids
who are looking for something to do and needing something
to do can have a positive place to come," said Charla Stark,
one of the parents who serves as a coach on the team. "They
can jump right into it. You can come from having never picked
up a bow before to shooting with hundreds of archers on the
line at state.
"Whatever you want to make of the sport, you can make
it. If you want to just have fun and make it recreational, you
can do that. There's no pressure on you. But if you want to
succeed and go on to further things, you can do that, too."
The Yorkshire coaches appreciate the fact that NASP
caters to everyone, no matter their abilities or strengths, and
that it has both individual and team aspects. "And there's
no running and no weightlifting," said Caitlynn Howard,
another parent and coach on the team.
Archers score their targets during the 2024 Nebraska
National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament.
Members of the Mater Dei Academy practice in the basement of the Mary Immaculate Church in Omaha, where a statue of
Jesus watches over their range.
