Leader In Me Initiative Hits Bullseye at Northmoor
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Rusty Anderson
by Rob Morris with Moore Monthly
Northmoor Elementary’s archery program is proving that leadership can be just as important as accuracy on the range.
After 20 years of coaching archery, Coach Fowlkes recently embraced a new approach inspired by the district’s Leader in Me initiative. The program encourages students to develop leadership skills and support their peers’ growth.
“Kids want to be challenged,” said Fowlkes. “Setting the bar high is something they really enjoy. Each year, when the kids come out and try out for the archery team, they look for that challenge.”
This season, Fowlkes introduced the concept to the Northmoor All-Star Archery Team by forming an Archery Leadership Team (ALT). Six sixth-grade students volunteered to take on leadership roles, helping instruct and mentor the younger archers on the team.
The six students selected for the ALT were members of Northmoor’s 2025 State Championship team. Their experience and communication skills made them ideal mentors. Throughout the season, the student leaders often gave up part — and sometimes all — of their own practice time to help younger teammates improve their technique.
Kids want to be challenged. Setting the bar high is something they really enjoy.
–Ed Fowlkes
“One of the biggest things we see with the kids on the team is the relationships they form,” said Fowlkes. “They also don’t get rattled, and the sport teaches them how to work through adversity.”
Their leadership extended beyond coaching. ALT members also helped maintain the team’s equipment by teaching teammates how to repair and recover targets. Tasks that once took the coach several hours can now be completed in about 30 minutes when the team works together. The student leaders also assisted with inspecting and waxing bows as needed.
The leadership program helped contribute to another successful season for the Northmoor archery team. The school finished as the State Runner-Up in the 2025–2026 season.
Northmoor also produced the Overall Elementary Girls State Champion, Emery Anderson, and the Overall Elementary Boys State Champion, Liam Barnett. In addition, sixth-grade archers Natalee Schwab and Niko Logan captured the Tier 2 Central Middle School State Girl and Boy titles.
For Fowlkes, the results go beyond trophies and titles. It’s an important way for students to embrace a more analog approach to life in a world where everything is increasingly digital.
“Kids are bombarded with cell phones,” said Fowlkes. “Archery is a big break from that. The whole philosophy is that when you give a kid a bow, there are no flashing screens or loud music. It’s not like any other sport they will ever encounter.”
By giving students the chance to lead, the program has strengthened the team and created a culture where archers support one another both on and off the range.
