OTTUMWA —
The surprise isn’t that a student has started an outdoors club, but that the school didn’t have one already. At least one teacher agrees.
“Lots of kids come in and talk about hunting,” said Amy Shilhanek, an Ottumwa High School teacher. “There’s so much to do for outdoor activities, but there’s no organized club at the high school. I think in this area, it’s needed.”
Shilhanek, a member of the Isaac Walton League who enjoys shooting, was glad to meet student Sam Jacobs, an avid outdoorsman.
Sam, 16, said he’s not the only student who would like to have a club with fellow archery, hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
Shilhanek agreed to become the teacher advisor. Sam founded OBOS (pronounced like O-town but with bows) as Ottumwa Bulldogs Outdoor Sportsman.
Shilhanek had Sam bring his idea to the principal, who asked for a written proposal. That went to the superintendent of schools. The teacher advisor followed up on the paperwork, and Ottumwa High School’s newest club was born.
Of course, with bows, hunting knives, rifles and trapshooting shotguns, the club only wants responsible teens as members.
“Safety is the priority — hunting can be dangerous,” Sam said. “That’s a big thing in this club: safety.”
But the outdoors aren’t just a place for hunting; they need protection, which often comes from true hunters who want to protect the land, Sam and Shilhanek agreed.
And outdoor sports aren’t just limited to hunting, they said. Sam said he loves the outdoors. Archery, trapshooting, hiking, fishing, camping, bird watching and marksmanship are just a few of the activities students may try to pursue.
“To get kids involved with stuff like this,” Sam said. “If kids aren’t active, they’re more likely to get into trouble [like] drugs or dropping out of high school.”
Shilhanek said staff at OHS strongly encourages students to get involved in extra activities. Those are usually the kids who stay active and stay in school. OHS principals have been saying for years that the most involved students are typically the best students. And that kids who feel a sense of belonging are more likely to stick around.
“They don’t even have to be an outdoors maniac like Sam is,” said his mom, Selena Jacobs. “Maybe they’ll find some enjoyment in something they can do.”
There’s a different kind of strength involved, said Shilhanek. Someone who may not be a great linebacker might become a skilled archer, she said.
Besides, Shilhanek said, she puts faith in research that says just having one trusted adult in school can make a difference in a young person’s success. She wants everyone to find an activity that’s right for them.
One of the OBOS club goals is to find sponsors for either equipment or finances — or to contribute their expertise.
Outdoor sports enthusiasts can speak to the club or show them how to identify wildlife, set up fly fishing equipment or how to be a safer hunter.
“There’s a lot of stuff I don’t know,” Sam said. “A lot of stuff.”
One of their first speakers was the local game warden with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
“The DNR officer was talking about all the different pathways you could take if you want to work in the field,” said Shilhanek.
Sam said he is intent on someday working as a professional hunter or outdoorsman. If he does, he may not have to go far from home.
“The game warden said Iowa is a hunter’s dream,” explained Sam.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Sam Jacobs, left, listens along with other outdoor enthusiasts at Ottumwa High School as Iowa Department of Natural Resources Officer Bob Stuchel speaks to their club.
Student outdoorsman starts club
- Local News
-
- City to purchase radios, antennas OTTUMWA — New communications equipment will soon sit atop the Memorial Park water tower. At its meeting Tuesday night, the City Council approved the emergency purchase of new radios, antennas and related equipment to be secured on the water tower. Af
-
Storefronts to get a big facelift
OTTUMWA -- A fresh set of facades in one city block could build momentum for the revitalization of downtown Ottumwa. The city has received conditional approval for a $500,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's downtown master facade
-
Tenco productivity increases thanks to new equipment
OTTUMWA — There's nothing like good partners who team up and improve the world around them. Tenco Industries and John Deere Ottumwa Works have teamed up to improve the way Tenco workers handle all the containers they receive for recycling and other
-
Date set in Pam Ward retrial
A date has been set for the retrial of former Ottumwa Transit Authority Director Pam Ward.
-
SLIDESHOW: Communications tower assembled
Crews assembled the new 250-foot communications tower Tuesday in just more than four hours.
-
Body of Fairfield boy recovered
FAIRFIELD -- Authorities in Montana say they have recovered the bodies of a grandmother and two grandchildren after the car they were in rolled into the Clark Fork River, including that of a Fairfield resident. Authorities were called Friday after a
-
Loosen up, help a student graduate
OTTUMWA -- Students in the massage therapy program at Indian Hills Community College are almost ready to graduate. They just need a little help from the community to complete their requirements. The 14 students in the program each need to clock 200 h
- County supervisors OK mental health contract OTTUMWA -- The Wapello County Supervisors on Monday approved renewing the county's contract with Southeast Iowa Case Management. Supervisor Jerry Parker said the action is related to making mental health affordable. "It's ObamaCare," he said. Manager
- Changes coming to council chambers OTTUMWA — Four city officials are up for re-election this fall, though only two plan on running. Mayor Frank Flanders, as well as Councilmen Bob Meyers, Brian Morgan and Jeremy Weller, will finish out their terms at the end of this year. "Things are
-
Not guilty plea entered in death of Oskaloosa infant
OSKALOOSA — An Oskaloosa man charged with murdering the infant he was babysitting has pleaded not guilty. On Monday, Bryan Draper Vilcone, 24, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, a Class A felony. On April 18, Oskaloosa Police officers respond
- More Local News Headlines
