|
|
|
|
|
|
On April 18, 2011, I.S. 318, a sixth-eighth grade school located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, won the National Junior High School Chess Championship held in Columbus, Ohio. The team traveled with over 60 students to Ohio and defeated over 1,000 of the best chess players from around the nation. James Black, a seventh grade student at the school, won the individual national championship. The trip was an unforgettable experience for all who attended. For many of the students, traveling to Columbus was their first time traveling outside of New York and staying at a hotel. They were also able to meet fellow chess players from around the United States and experience the thrilling power of finishing first in a rigorous intellectual competition.
I.S. 318 has developed a fearsome reputation in chess, winning numerous championships over the past decade. It currently holds the titles of JHS National Champion, NYC JHS Champions, NYS Chess Champions and the Girls National Champions. Most recently, the team finished in second place at the High School Chess Championships held in Nashville, Tennessee on May 2, 2011.
The chess program is an important element of the school’s philosophy that all of its students can achieve great success. I.S. 318’s diverse, talented team has demonstrated time and time again that no matter where you come from, with hard work, belief in your ability, and high expectations you can make your goals a reality. This is best expressed by Mubassar Uddin, a sixth grader who won the individual championship for beginners, who said “I worked so hard this year to learn to play chess. My family was so proud when I came home with a trophy that was bigger than me!”
The tournament trip was made possible by a partnership between I.S. 318, Chess-in-the Schools, and The Fund for Public Schools. In the end though, it is the amazing work of the public school kids at 318 who deserve the credit. To read more about the chess team, check out their feature in the Daily News.
|
|
|