Chess program’s success

03/24/2008
Chess program’s success continues to grow at Lafayette
By Angie Oravec , Herald-Standard

Lafayette School in the Uniontown Area School District has begun a chess club to teach students the values that can be afforded from playing the time-honored activity. And, club membership has really taken off, prompting the program to expand to an after-school activity, school officials said.

Virginia Rockwell, club sponsor and teacher’s aide at Lafayette School, supervises students during their chess-playing time. She said 73 students play during lunch and 43 have signed up to play after school on Thursdays beginning this week.

District transportation will be available. Mary Beth Myers, emotional support teacher, will help supervise students during the after-school activity.

From pawns to the king and queen, black and white chess pieces stand on Red Raider chessboards designed, created and donated by students in the emotional support class with the help of industrial arts teacher Joe Valentovich.

The checkered chessboards are surrounded by inspiring sayings hung on a classroom wall, one of which reads, “Life is an opportunity; Life is a challenge; Life is a game,” and another asking and then stating, “Do you see a man who excels at his work? He will stand before kings.”

“It’s fun,” said sixth grader, Lydya Dennis on why she plays chess. “It requires a lot of moves and strategy. Some people don’t take it seriously, but I try hard to play as best as I can.”

Added Marcella Mills, also a sixth grader, “It’s fun to compete with different people. I’m looking forward to being in a tournament.”

Rockwell and Ilona Fecek, school district gifted teacher, are working out the details for Lafayette to host a tournament for junior high students in May.

“If you have a desire to learn and play, you can play chess,” said Rockwell. “I’m hoping this is a seed that will grow.”

Students can’t wait to play during lunchtime, Rockwell said.

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