Hedrick Elementary students become real-life chess pieces
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Students in the school’s chess club became chess pieces in a life-sized chess game during the dedication of the chess board intended to enhance the students’ critical-thinking skills Oct. 29.
“The students are real excited because it’s something new,” said Luis Matos, first-grade bilingual teacher and chess coach. “Rather than staying inside, it’s another avenue they can have to enhance their thinking skills.”
The chess board was donated by The Village Church in Highland Village, but until recently, the matches have been on hold, because the chess club had no way to identify themselves as the pieces, Matos said.
That’s where Billy Kyer came in.
In February, Billy, a 17-year-old at Flower Mound High School, began asking for donations to build four picnic tables and four benches, and have vests made to identify the children as living chess pieces in English and Spanish as part of his project to become an Eagle Scout. Three months later, he had raised more than $1,100 and was leading a team of Boy Scouts in the construction project.
“It was very rewarding, and it took a lot to become an Eagle Scout,” he said. “It felt good being able to give those tables and benches to Hedrick Elementary. They never get anything.”
Now, the chess club can use the board to practice between club members, between schools and even against teachers, Matos said.
“The doors are open,” he said.
After Matos attended a workshop with professors who were studying chess, he began implementing it in the classroom. It just grew from there. Now, the chess club consists of about 40 students in second through fifth grade, he said.
Last year, Hedrick Elementary took second place at an invitational chess tournament against 19 schools other schools, Matos said.
“And I’m already teaching my first-graders how to play,” he said.
Lindsey Bever is a reporter with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3004 or via e-mail at lbever@neighborsgo.com. If you have a story, photo or video you'd like to share, please post it directly on neighborsgo.com.
