Conway Students Compete in the Annual CPSD Chess Tournament
Conway elementary and middle school students competed on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, in the annual CPSD Chess Tournament. Tournament director Mr. Lynn Duran, GT Teacher at Preston and Florence Mattison Elementary, states that this was the largest chess tournament in district history since the original Chessmaster and retired CPSD GT teacher Theron Nunley first organized the inaugural elementary chess tournament more than 20 years ago.
“Theron had a vision that turned into a reality for chess in our elementary schools. He created this event, and we are proud to continue to showcase our students who endeavor to compete in this advanced strategy game,” Duran stated.
Students were assigned one of three divisions based on their grade level: 5th and Under, 6th, and 7th grades. Originally, only 8 elementary schools participated in an elementary-only tournament. However, with the growth of the district and the addition of new schools at both the elementary and middle school levels, the tournament has now grown to include 13 of the 15 district campuses.
Duran stated, “With the efforts of our middle school chess coaches, Jason Campbell (RDMS), Naomi Sexson (BCMS), Donna Adolph (SMS), and Elizabeth Harness (CSMS), we can build a formidable team fully aligned with the format of the Arch Ford Tournament later this spring. He continued, “While our elementary GT teachers introduce our young kids to chess during weekly enrichment activities and/or afterschool clubs; it is the dedication of our middle school coaches who often spend their personal lunch breaks providing their classroom space, which allows our students to hone the chess skills necessary for numerous competitions outside of our district.”
Duran further states, “We had just concluded our tournament and presented our top 3 winners in each tournament section with our trophy ceremony, and chess coach Elizabeth Harness asked me to have our top 8 kids in the 7th grade division meet her for a quick meeting. I was delighted to see her present them with a permission slip for the CAAS (Central Association for Arkansas Schools) regional chess tournament this Saturday in North Little Rock.” Duran continued, “I know our kids will represent themselves, their respective schools, and our district very well.”
This year, the CPSD tournament had 86 entries prompting a need for a larger venue. Hendrix College provided the district with their Student Life and Technology Center as the location for the tournament. “Hendrix was awesome, the students loved the campus, and Hendrix was very eager to host us. We set our event date early and the college put everything in place we could need. The tables, chairs, everything. It made for a very great, stress-free day,” Duran stated.
Several CHS students volunteered to work the tournament as well. Many of them had participated in this tournament throughout their elementary and middle school years. This was their second tournament to volunteer this school year. They previously volunteered at a middle school tourney held at BCMS this past December. Hendrix Chess Club president, and sophomore Biology major, John Straessle volunteered as well and offered much insight on the magnitude of the Conway Tournament and how in his perception, it was a win-win for both the college and the district.
*Any Conway parents interested in chess involvement for their kids are encouraged to contact their school's elementary GT teacher or middle school chess coach for details on participation requirements.
Simon Middle School did very well at this year's competition, collecting 8 of the 9 trophies. Champions pictured below are (no order): 5th and Below, 1st Place Henry G., RDMS, 2nd Pl., Beau L. SMS, 3rd Pl., Antonio P. SMS. 6th Grade, 1st Place Zion B., SMS, 2nd PL. Davis C., SMS, 3rd Pl. West F. SMS. 7th Grade, 1st Place Hajun K., 2nd Lucas H., SMS, 3rd. Pl. Walker G., SMS.
