I am, admittedly, not an athletic person.
While I have not been put through the sports-searching gauntlet like my brother, who tried and dropped tennis, soccer, and aikido, it was no secret that I was similarly untalented. I was always scraping by with barely A grades in mandatory P.E. classes for consistently lacking mile times; my 13-minute average only gave me half credit for my runs. Once, I even had to buy a volleyball to practice at home for our P.E. unit; I couldn’t manage to serve it over the nets at school yet, and if I failed that assessment of our volleyball skills, my grade would have gone under. Even though I managed to pass—our brand-new Wilson volleyball collecting dust in the shed – is a sure reminder of my unathleticism.
When my brother picked up archery, joining a club at the local Woodley Park, I had paid no mind. He was in 8th grade, searching for an extracurricular activity to hopefully continue with through high school. I assumed it would be just like all of the other sports he attempted: something to try for a year before dropping. Then, the world shut down when a pandemic swept the nation. School went online, and I suddenly found myself constantly cooped up at home, with too much time to kill. My brother, however, stuck to archery, despite his club shutting down temporarily. I started to tag along with him to the park, and in no time at all, I found myself holding a bow of my own, aiming at hay bales alongside him. Unbeknownst to me, this was the beginning of a journey still going strong after four years.
This sport has become a major part of my life these past few years. Not only my brother and I but my entire family have all devoted our combined efforts to our archery careers. We have attended tons of both state and national competitions, practiced for countless hours, celebrated, and mourned over rankings. Archery has brought many joys into my life. I’ve met and become friends with many wonderful people because of archery, who I can freely laugh with every week. Thanks to a regular sport, I spend my time outside almost every day. Even though my introverted, hermit-like nature leaves me inclined to enjoy my free time alone and indoors, regularly leaving the house and getting physical exercise has done wonders for my state of mind, especially during the COVID lockdown. Not to mention, staying out in the park brought my attention to how beautiful nature can be. Bright Fuschia clouds during sunsets when practice runs long; the bright azure backs of Western bluebirds arriving in spring; fluffy tassels of foxtail grass swaying like ripples in a pond when the fields grow out of control. Every time these details catch my attention, I am filled with gratitude for being outside to witness such small joys.
What sets archery apart is its emphasis on focus, form, and consistency, not physical strength. There is nothing like falling into a consistent steady rhythm of shooting, letting muscle memory guide each step; it’s meditative and relaxing, becoming attuned to every small movement of your own body. It’s the kind of concentration that lets your present worries fade away into the background; the only thing left is the grip held in your left, and the string pulled taut in your right.
There have been so many challenges along my path. Disappointing performances in competitions, slow-growing progress, pest-persistent bad habits, switching clubs back and forth. But with persistence, endurance, and motivation, I have found myself soaring higher than I’d ever thought I could—medals and a state record holding my name. Archery has brought a lot of good into my life, whether through people or just the environment. As I reflect on the past four years, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities archery has afforded me and excited for the continued growth and exploration that lie ahead. While I may have begun this journey as a novice, I now stand poised to embrace the future with confidence and enthusiasm, knowing that my love for archery will continue to guide me along the path of self-discovery and achievement.
—Written by Chloe Hsieh
Chloe has received a service award for being a volunteer at the Mid-Valley Branch Library. She currently studies at Granada Hills Charter High School, and is contemplating a career in the medical field. Besides being a state competition record holder in archery, Chloe also loves to play the piano, play video games, draw, and read.
—Michael Baradi, Young Adult Librarian, Mid-Valley Regional Branch Library