Student Archers Raise $35,000+ for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is proud to recognize the generosity and servant leadership demonstrated by NASP schools, coaches and student archers during the 2025–2026 NASP St. Jude E-Championship Charity Tournament Series. Together, participating schools voluntarily raised $35,152.09 in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Hosted through NASPtournaments.org, the monthly virtual tournaments provide schools an opportunity to compete in the familiar NASP format while also supporting children and families facing life-threatening illnesses. Participation in the fundraiser portion is entirely optional, making the effort especially meaningful for the schools and coaches who choose to participate.
NASP would like to recognize the fundraising schools of the season that raised $500 or more and inspired a culture of service among their archers, encouraging students to continue shooting arrows in support of others.
- Centennial High School IL
- Cornerstone Full Gospel OH
- Prosper High School TX
- Pelion Elementary School SC
- Heritage Academy MD
- Saint Mary Catholic School FL
- Old Greenbrier Baptist WV
- Somerset Christian School KY
- Bolton Academy LA
- Mill Creek OK
- Russellville Middle School MO
Our gratitude to the NASP basic archery instructors across the country who continue to make the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser a priority,” said NASP President Tommy Floyd. “These wonderful NASP instructors are teaching so much more than just archery. Their student-archers are learning the value of ‘doing’ for others and no doubt, feel the pride that comes with supporting such a worthwhile cause as SJCRH.
“Thank you NASP coaches, teams, and individuals that have made this worthwhile fundraising effort an annual success. This is a great example of what NASP continues to emphasize across its 10,000 schools; NASP is changing lives, one arrow at a time!”
One participating program, Prosper High School in Texas (top photo), shared how the fundraiser reflects the culture of their archery community. Jennifer, a Prosper coach, said, “Supporting St. Jude teaches our archers something bigger than competition: the power of giving back. It reminds them that their efforts can make a real difference in the lives of children and families who are fighting unimaginable battles.”
Centennial High School (Illinois) archery coach Heather Miller said, "The fight against childhood cancer hits close to home, as one of our current senior archers was cured of cancer by St. Jude Children's Hospital as a young boy and remains in remission. For the past four seasons the Centennial Charger Archery Team stepped up for this important cause by hosting a special St. Jude internal tournament for archers and their families and implementing other fundraising efforts.”
Each year, Centennial continues to beat previous record donations. Their archers and families are one amazing example of how NASP students are making a difference in their lives and others.
While NASP is built around the safe instruction of archery and the 11 Steps to Archery Success, efforts like the St. Jude E-Championship continue to demonstrate that NASP programs are also developing leadership, compassion, teamwork and service-minded students in schools across the country.
Schools interested in participating in future St. Jude E-Championship events can learn more by clicking here.
2026 “On Target for Life” Award Winners
NASP is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2026 “On Target for Life” Awards, honoring individuals whose impact reaches far beyond scores and competition lanes.
While NASP tournaments celebrate achievement in archery, the “On Target for Life” Awards were created to recognize something even greater — the people who use archery to build confidence, create opportunities, strengthen communities, and positively influence the lives of many.
“These awards represent the heart of NASP,” said NASP VP Jeff Rawlinson. “Every day we see coaches, students, volunteers and alumni changing lives through archery. The range may be where the arrows fly, but the real impact happens in classrooms, homes, schools and communities long after the tournament ends.”
The 2026 recipients were selected from nominations submitted by coordinators, coaches, educators, parents and fellow archers from across the country. Each story reflected the values that continue to define NASP — perseverance, leadership, sportsmanship and personal growth.
Besides the recognition and the plaque presented at a NASP tournament, each recipient receives: Adult award – a $500 equipment grant; Student award – a $500 scholarship.
George Guffey Elementary (Fenton, Missouri) is home to one of the most decorated NASP teams in the nation, led by legendary head coach John Ponzar, winner of the 2026 NASP Coach of the Year Award.
Coach of the Year Award: Recognizing attributes of the coach beyond just their ability to teach the fundamentals of archery and have a proven history of making an overwhelming positive difference in the lives of participating NASP students.
2026 winner: John Ponzar, Missouri
Superhero Award: Unpaid volunteer who makes an outstanding positive impact on their NASP class or team.
2026 winner: Kim Legg, Pennsylvania
Bullseye Award: NASP student who has made notable positive strides in academic performance and behavior through their involvement with the program.
2026 winner: Ruby Sowell, Virginia
Courage Award: NASP student who has overcome a major life event or disability yet continues to inspire others through their participation in NASP.
2026 winner: Zachary Legg, Pennsylvania
Community Service Award: NASP team that makes a substantial positive impact on its community.
2026 winner: Heartwood Christian Academy, Alabama
Outstanding Alumni Award: Former NASP graduate who experienced the positives of NASP and now continues to give back to their former school or team. They provide obvious service, support, and a positive role model for current NASP students to emulate.
2026 winner: Samara Honshiko, Washington
Throughout the nomination process, one theme appeared again and again — NASP is about far more than competition. Stories submitted described students discovering confidence for the first time, educators creating safe and welcoming spaces, families reconnecting outdoors, and communities rallying around young people through archery. For many participants, the lessons learned through NASP continue long after students leave the range.
“Archery teaches patience, focus, responsibility and resilience,” said NASP President Tommy Floyd. “Those are life skills that help students succeed wherever life takes them. The individuals recognized through these awards truly embody what it means to be ‘On Target for Life.’”
Sidebar: NASP: Changing Lives One Arrow at a Time
NASP is an activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size or academic ability. It’s open to any student — and its biggest supporters are professional educators. NASP promotes instruction in target archery as part of the in-school curriculum in grades 4-12. Through participation in the shooting sports, students are learning focus, self-control, discipline, patience and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life. For more information, including the four steps for bringing NASP to your school, visit naspschools.org
