Meet Rising Star Isabella Nelson

Get to know Archer, Model, Actor & Girl Scout Bella!

Where are you from and how old are you?

I was born in Holland and I’m 11 years old, I’m turning 12 in a few weeks!

When did you start Archery? And modeling & acting?

I started modelling two years ago in the thick of the pandemic. Archery was something I started exploring when I was 7.

What made you interested in Archery?

I started with the kids archery intro classes at Muskegon Bowmen (you should check it out!) and I fell in love with the sport. I love the feel of the bow in my hands and how they are cool looking. Archery teaches me how to be more patient and how to set goals and work hard to achieve them. After attending the Muskegon Bowmen classes, my parents signed me up for competitions and now I travel all over the country to compete. I have met so many wonderful people who have helped me along the way. I am currently a member of the Scholastic S3DA & Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Programs at the West Michigan Archery Center in Rockford. That's where I spend most of my time practicing these days.

What’s your favorite thing about it?

Archery is cool and fun! It's like being a hero, like Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games or Hawkeye. I have also been surrounded by archers who have become like family. The community is tight knit, we help and support each other. Everyone is kind, when an equipment breaks down, someone always steps up to help. Someone is always giving tips and ideas on how you can improve as an archer. Archery makes me want to do better all the time. It helps me set goals.

What’s your favorite accomplishment?

Being nominated and winning the Meijer Youth Athlete of the Year in 2019! I may be the only athlete who had competed in 3 different events to have qualified for the state games back then. My family and I were invited to watch the Griffin Games and they acknowledged all the sports and when my name was announced, the whole stadium clapped and cheered for me. I also had the opportunity to be the flag bearer for the State Games of America parade of athletes and that experience was unbelievable!

What has been your favorite modeling or acting experience? The most memorable one was when I got a callback for an Olympic ad that a major card company was producing.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I don't really have a lot of free time but I like to hang out with my friends. I love to do crafts, like painting and drawing.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

I love reading.

What do you want to be doing in the future?

I want to be a pro archer travelling all over the world to compete! Oh, I also want to have an archery school and be a coach.

Do you have Instagram?

Yes, please follow me @BullseyeBella

Anything else we should know about you?

I love to act, sing, dance, read, go fishing with my dad, play with my friends and explore the outdoors! Apart from archery, I also do figure skating and speed skating. I play the viola and I am also a member of the Grand Haven Middle School Science Olympiad and the Girl Scouts Troop 4834!