|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The PAWNSTORMERS sending a big THANK YOU to all of their sponsors and supporters.
|
After a five-day trip of exploration, the Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES) PAWNSTORMERS Chess Team led by Mr. Shawn Sorsby, returned home having found valuable treasure in Global Chess and friendships with fellow Atkins High School Chess Team members. Atkins High School has one of largest high school chess teams in the Southeastern United States. The two-school mini tournament on the heels of the North Carolina High School State Chess Tournament took place in Freeport’s Sister City, Winston Salem, North Carolina February 18th – 21st.
This event is an extension of a three-city global chess program including Freeport Grand Bahama, Winston Salem North Carolina and Ungheni, Moldova, using modern internet technology on the chess.com website to play their global counterparts.
As an educator with most of his teaching experience in low-income neighborhoods, Mr. Sorsby has previously worked with struggling students who lack knowledge of self-worth because of where they come from and what the world has told them about who they are. He has often used the sentiments of Walter D. Wintle, "The Man Who Thinks He Can" to motivate his students.
Wilton Cartwright and Aasha Gibson match up against students from North Carolina's Atkins High School for Math and Science.
|
If you think you're outclassed, your are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever obtain the prize.
These words proved to be true for eight young chess players, many who were introduced to the game only 4 months prior, as they embarked on their first international chess tournament. Although the poem is entitled "The MAN who Thinks he Can," there was one young woman who inspired us all. Asha Gibson, the only female player, went undefeated in her division; she was crowned the top female player of the two-school tournament!
Dangle Martin and Coach Shawn Sorsby have the pleasure of paying two of Atkins top players in the championship round. The winning team here was too close to call!
|
Notably, Atkins High School, Coached by Jonathan Plaster, placed as first runners up in the 2016 North Carolina State High School Chess Tournament, which boasted an attendance of 1375 students, so BMES PAWNSTORMERS faced a very talented group of Atkins High School Students. Mr. Plaster was equally impressed with the BMES PAWNSTORMERS, commenting in his local article titled, Chess Team is State Runner-Up in K-12 DII But Biggest Win is Global Partnership, "The Bahamas students were intelligent, inquisitive and respectful.”
Why are so many schools and students supporting chess playing in schools? Simply, it is the world's most enjoyed strategy game and a fantastic way to sharpen one's mind academically. It promotes logical thinking, instills a sense of self‑confidence and self‑worth, and improves communication and pattern recognition skills. It teaches the values of hard work, concentration, objectivity, and commitment. As former World Chess Champion Emmanuel Lasker said, "On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long."
Terray Rolle matches up against an Atkins player at the tournament.
|
For example, the New York City Schools Chess Program included more than 3,000 inner-city children in more than 100 public schools between 1986 and 1990. Based on academic and anecdotal records only, Christine Palm writes that the Program has proven that:
--Chess dramatically improves a child's ability to think rationally
--Chess increases cognitive skills
--Chess improves children's communication skills and aptitude in recognizing patterns, therefore:
--Chess results in higher grades, especially in English and Math studies
--Chess builds a sense of team spirit while emphasizing the ability of the individual
-Chess teaches the value of hard work, concentration and commitment
--Chess instills in young players a sense of self-confidence and self-worth
--Chess makes a child realize that he or she is responsible for his or her own actions and must accept their consequences
--Chess teaches children to try their best to win, while accepting defeat with grace
--Chess provides an intellectual, competitive forum through which children can assert hostility, i.e. "let off steam," in an acceptable way
--Chess can become a child's most eagerly awaited school activity, dramatically improving attendance
--Chess allows girls to compete with boys on a non-threatening, socially acceptable plane
--Chess allows students and teachers to view each other in a more sympathetic way
--Chess, through competition, gives kids a palpable sign of their accomplishments
--Chess provides children with a concrete, inexpensive and compelling way to rise above the deprivation and self-doubt, which are so much a part of their lives (1)
Still not a believer, here are reflections from the BMES Chess Club students:
Timothy Brown matches up against an Atkins player at the tournament.
|
"When I went on the trip, I was really nervous and scared that I was going to lose. I expected the person I played to whoop me, but after I got my first victory, I gained a confidence that I didn't know I had."
-Aasha Gibson, Grade 8
Mr. Sorsby added, “Confidence is key, not only in chess, but also in life. This is something I set to teach our players as they prepared for the trip. However, most did not learn this valuable lesson until they had the opportunity to experience it for themselves.”
"I am constantly amazed by the infinite number of moves that can be made in the game and the life lessons that can be learned through chess. When I lost the first round I was disappointed, however, it motivated me to do better and as a result I was able to get a draw on my next game and then win my final game by resignation."
-Dangle Martin, Grade 12
"In the end the trip turned out to be very vital in our growing up as a chess team."
-Rohith Nair, Grade 8
"I learned not to underestimate myself and that anything is possible. Everyone has potential."
-Terray Rolle, Grade 8
As a coach, Mr Sorsby could not agree with his players more. They learned a lot from competing, but also from exploring a city, none of them had ever experienced, in a country some had never visited. On our journey, we toured Winston Salem State University (WSSU), a Historically Black University, and visited Atkins high school, which was, ran like a college. We saw wonders in Engineering at Biotech Place at Wake Forest Quarters, and for many saw for the first time ever, snow!
"Atkins High School for Math and Science was amazing. What really interested me was how they had specialized courses and majors like engineering.”
-Timothy Brown, Grade 9
"I had high expectations in preparing for the competition, and the trip exceeded my expectations."
-Wilton Cartwright, Grade 7
"During the trip I was exposed to a winter world of both chess, observing the state championship, as well as education with the tours of Atkins and WSSU. It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait for the next trip."
-Patrick Boston, Grade 11
It looks like Aasha has inspired more girls to try out chess, at the PAWNSTORMERS first day back at chess club after the tournament.
|
Although there were so many amazing moments we will all cherish forever, I think one of the biggest takeaways for the BMES PAWNSTORMERS will be the relationships we built. Usually in competition, players rarely speak, especially to an opponent, but this was different! Not only were students giving each other chess tips, but also they were exchanging their cultures as they exchanged contact information. These young people taught us all that we can be competitive, but we can also learn from each other and make one another better in the process. A valuable lesson indeed, for us all.
Thank you to the BMES parents, administration and teachers for all your moral and financial support, and to all our community sponsors, both in the Bahamas as well as those in North Carolina, Chicago and New York, we will not forget your kindness and how you made this opportunity available to us, we are very grateful.
(1) "Chess in Education Research Summary", Dr. Robert Ferguson
Coach Shawn Sorsby and Aasha Gibson, who went undefeated all three rounds in her division, and was later awarded the top girl player of the tournament.
|
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
