WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

HURRICANE -- Prim Law Firm donated $2,500 to Hurricane High School's archery team to help purchase equipment.

Prim Law Firm Managing Partner Brian Prim, who is an avid archer himself, said he wanted to give back to the local community.

"I've done a lot of bow hunting and I had heard about the archery program before and wished it was something I had when I was younger," Prim said. "Later I saw something on TV that focused on the archery program and decided I wanted to help somehow."

Prim said that same week he heard that Hurricane High School's archery team was starting its second year and was looking for donations.

"I made the call and found out they needed $2,500 for equipment," he said. "I found out that in its first year the team had to use the school's equipment that was also used for gym classes. I was more than happy to help the team get its own equipment."

Prim said the money will go to buying bows, arrows and targets, which can be used for years until they wear out.

"Archery is starting to game some strong interest in this area," he said. "Having an archery team is a great opportunity for students. It teaches hand-eye coordination and in order to stay on the team you have to keep your grades up and stay in school. It also keeps the students active."

Kim Edwards, the head coach of the archery team, said in its first year the team only had 14 students, but this year there were 35 students.

"Last year the team sparked interest in a lot of students, so they came out and joined this year," Edwards said.

Edwards said one day a group of students explained to her that they needed a teacher to sponsor them because they wanted to start an archery team.

"My husband and one of my sons bow hunt and I thought it was a good idea for the students, so I agreed to sponsor the program," she said. "Archery draws a particular group of students that otherwise would not normally participate in school sports, which is a great thing."

Edwards said every student in the DNR-sponsored program nationwide is required to use the same equipment.

Hurricane High is the only school in Putnam County to participate in the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources' "West Virginia's Archery in the Schools Program."