Ken McLemore

HOPE – Funds to facilitate the purchase of equipment and supplies for an archery component to physical education classes and competitive activities at Hope High School have been awarded to HHS by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

HHS Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Hart wrote the grant for HHS and the ROTC program.

“It will be administered as part of the physical education curriculum, AF JROTC wellness classes, and AFJROTC Archery Team,” Lt. Col. Hart said.

The award letter from the Arkansas Department of Commerce Division of Rural Services, Arkansas Rural Development Commission, said the AGFC grant totals $3,247.23 to purchase equipment for the Arkansas National Archery in Schools Program.

The AGFC website notes the program is financed through fines collected by AGFC.

“Fine money collected from AGFC game law convictions never leaves the county where it was collected,” the agency states. “Instead the money is used to fund educational programs focused on fish, wildlife and conservation in the counties where the offenses occurred.”

The ANASP is one of a number of educational programs funded through Conservation Education Grants. ANASP grants provide start-up funding for 11 archery bow kits, five regulation targets, a backstop, 60 regulation aluminum arrows and a repair kit. The program is offered in grades 4-12 and includes an opportunity for interscholastic tournament competition each year.