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More than 100 chess enthusiasts and their supporters once again gathered on Labor Day for the first in
the series of Scholastic Chess Tournaments presented by Dwight Morgan.
The 109 students involved was a slightly lower attendance than last year’s average of 117—which peaked
at 176 in November. But parent support of the program is stronger than ever.
Sarah Bling has been volunteering since her elder son first started competing five years ago. “Devon was
in kindergarten, and neither of us knew how to play. We learned together through the tournaments.”
Now both Devon and his younger brother Dillon consistently rank among the top players.
the series of Scholastic Chess Tournaments presented by Dwight Morgan.
The 109 students involved was a slightly lower attendance than last year’s average of 117—which peaked
at 176 in November. But parent support of the program is stronger than ever.
Sarah Bling has been volunteering since her elder son first started competing five years ago. “Devon was
in kindergarten, and neither of us knew how to play. We learned together through the tournaments.”
Now both Devon and his younger brother Dillon consistently rank among the top players.
Bling said she appreciates the many benefits of chess. “Most of all I think it teaches you to think ahead. In
life you are always going to ask yourself, ‘Is this the right choice? Is it going to benefit me later?’ Chess
reinforces that. I think it’s a great thing.”
She praised Morgan for the work he has put into building the program. “We are very lucky to have this in
place. I know people in big cities who don’t have this kind of opportunity.”
Military wife Katie Samuels agreed. “When we were stationed in North Carolina, they didn’t have anything
like this — we just played on our own. When we got here and realized all this was available, we were all really
excited!”
Now she is one of the many parents working to keep the tournaments funded. During the tournaments
she sells boards, pieces, accessories and chess-themed trinkets. “Mr. Morgan purchases everything, and the
little bit of profit goes to help cover the cost of the tournaments. The better we do here, the less Mr. Morgan
ends up paying for things out of his own pocket.”
Regular donors to the program include the school parent-teacher organizations and private sponsors
such as the family of Carlos Batista-West — who sponsor the September tournament every year.
Bling also started a Friends of Chess organization to collect donations to help defray the costs of trophies,
chess clocks and other equipment used to put on the events.
“I heard Mr. Morgan wasn’t raising enough money, and so I started asking other parents and neighbors to
donate,” said Bling. “Almost everyone I ask gives something.”
Last year the organization raised enough money to put on two full tournaments — which carry an average
price tag of $600, said Morgan — plus enough to supplement others. “I think last year we raised more than
$1,400.”
Though Morgan is quick to dismiss his own investment in the program, he is effusive in his thanks to its
supporters. “We work really hard to keep these tournaments free to the kids. We’re only able to do that
because the PTOs and other parents are so supportive.”
Morgan officially retired last year as counselor to the Sierra Sands elementary schools, where he brought
chess to the students as a way to target such issues as anger management and conflict resolution.
The educator has long touted the academic benefits of chess — which research indicates include
improved math, reading and language aptitude.
“But this is also very good for social skills,” said Morgan. “You have to think about consequences, you
learn the values of confidence and achievement. And there is also the process of learning ‘ritualized fighting’
— or challenging someone without violence. By learning to respect your opponent, the battle becomes
focused on conflict resolution.”
Parents Julie Frisbee and Laurie Pollock are among those who appreciate those benefits.
“It’s good for developing critical thinking skills,” said Frisbee, whose two older children play in the
tournaments. “And I think Mr. Morgan does such a great job with this. It’s a good activity for the kids to be
involved with, and I think it’s a pretty unique opportunity for us in the community.”
“I like that the tournaments teach good sportsmanlike conduct,” said Pollock, who volunteered while her
daughter played. “I also like that it gives her an opportunity to sit and concentrate for long periods of time.
Then of course it gives her a chance to meet other kids she’s going to go to school with in the older grades.”
In his 10 years of running the tournaments, Morgan has seen the positive impacts of chess shape the
development of many of the thousands of students who have participated over the years.
This year he is filling in temporarily for the counselor replacing him in the local school district. And so for
now, the tournaments continue. “I’ve been telling everyone we’ll get through this year, then we’ll see.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring a tournament, or making a donation, can contact Morgan at
dmorgan178@yahoo.com.
life you are always going to ask yourself, ‘Is this the right choice? Is it going to benefit me later?’ Chess
reinforces that. I think it’s a great thing.”
She praised Morgan for the work he has put into building the program. “We are very lucky to have this in
place. I know people in big cities who don’t have this kind of opportunity.”
Military wife Katie Samuels agreed. “When we were stationed in North Carolina, they didn’t have anything
like this — we just played on our own. When we got here and realized all this was available, we were all really
excited!”
Now she is one of the many parents working to keep the tournaments funded. During the tournaments
she sells boards, pieces, accessories and chess-themed trinkets. “Mr. Morgan purchases everything, and the
little bit of profit goes to help cover the cost of the tournaments. The better we do here, the less Mr. Morgan
ends up paying for things out of his own pocket.”
Regular donors to the program include the school parent-teacher organizations and private sponsors
such as the family of Carlos Batista-West — who sponsor the September tournament every year.
Bling also started a Friends of Chess organization to collect donations to help defray the costs of trophies,
chess clocks and other equipment used to put on the events.
“I heard Mr. Morgan wasn’t raising enough money, and so I started asking other parents and neighbors to
donate,” said Bling. “Almost everyone I ask gives something.”
Last year the organization raised enough money to put on two full tournaments — which carry an average
price tag of $600, said Morgan — plus enough to supplement others. “I think last year we raised more than
$1,400.”
Though Morgan is quick to dismiss his own investment in the program, he is effusive in his thanks to its
supporters. “We work really hard to keep these tournaments free to the kids. We’re only able to do that
because the PTOs and other parents are so supportive.”
Morgan officially retired last year as counselor to the Sierra Sands elementary schools, where he brought
chess to the students as a way to target such issues as anger management and conflict resolution.
The educator has long touted the academic benefits of chess — which research indicates include
improved math, reading and language aptitude.
“But this is also very good for social skills,” said Morgan. “You have to think about consequences, you
learn the values of confidence and achievement. And there is also the process of learning ‘ritualized fighting’
— or challenging someone without violence. By learning to respect your opponent, the battle becomes
focused on conflict resolution.”
Parents Julie Frisbee and Laurie Pollock are among those who appreciate those benefits.
“It’s good for developing critical thinking skills,” said Frisbee, whose two older children play in the
tournaments. “And I think Mr. Morgan does such a great job with this. It’s a good activity for the kids to be
involved with, and I think it’s a pretty unique opportunity for us in the community.”
“I like that the tournaments teach good sportsmanlike conduct,” said Pollock, who volunteered while her
daughter played. “I also like that it gives her an opportunity to sit and concentrate for long periods of time.
Then of course it gives her a chance to meet other kids she’s going to go to school with in the older grades.”
In his 10 years of running the tournaments, Morgan has seen the positive impacts of chess shape the
development of many of the thousands of students who have participated over the years.
This year he is filling in temporarily for the counselor replacing him in the local school district. And so for
now, the tournaments continue. “I’ve been telling everyone we’ll get through this year, then we’ll see.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring a tournament, or making a donation, can contact Morgan at
dmorgan178@yahoo.com.
Chess tournament draws big Labor Day crowd
Parents rally support to keep scholastic chess tournament series in community
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
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| Scholastic Chess Tournament. Courtesy photo |