The First Lutheran School Chess Club had students participate in the Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 6th grade and 8th grade sections at the 17th Annual Albert Rine Memorial Oklahoma State Grade Chess Championship in Tulsa on Saturday, November 12. This tournament was unique in the way that all sections were grade levels rather than based on rating. Kindergarteners played kindergarteners, 1st graders played 1st graders and so on. There were over 200 children from all over the state competing in the State Grade Chess Championship. A Kindergarten student at First Lutheran School, William Vaughan secured a solid 2nd place win with 4.0 out of 5.0 possible points. Wesley Vaughan, 2nd grade First Lutheran School student, finished the day with 2.5 points. Third grade Roosevelt Elementary School student, Colter Wilson medaled with 3.0 points and ranked 7th place in his section. Kyle King, 5th grade First Lutheran School student, ended the day with 2.0 points. A 6th grade student at West Middle School, Cason Wilson took home 4th place in his section with 3.0 points. Catheryne Martin, an 8th grade student at East Middle School, was awarded 2nd place in her section with 4.0 points.
Many Ponca City students placed in the Oklahoma State Grade Chess Championship. Pictured left to right are Wesley Vaughan, Kyle King, Colter Wilson, Catheryne Martin, Cason Wilson and William Vaughan.
The FLS Chess Club is open to all students in Ponca City, grades 1st through 12th, and currently has twenty active members from eight different schools. The FLS Chess Club meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm-7:30pm, come and go, in the First Lutheran School Early Childhood Education building that also houses the school gym. You’ll park on Liberty along the south side of the building and enter through the doors that are directly east of the playground. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced. The mission of the First Lutheran School Chess Club is to develop and improve chess skills in a supportive environment, to encourage each student to their full potential, and to nurture specific chess-related skills including strategic thinking, problem solving and self-confidence, and to promote the value of chess throughout the community. Students are required to submit a one-time $35 membership fee. The fee helps cover the cost of supplies for the club as well as the student’s own scorebook. Membership is required to participate; however, there are limited scholarships available if needed. Please contact Jennifer Vaughan, FLS Chess Club Founder and Coordinator, at 580-716-1931 or email [email protected] with any questions, to receive the necessary sign-up form for students, or to volunteer to assist with the club.
