OCPS honors winners of seventh annual Chess Club Tournament amid math competition celebration

The seventh annual OCPS Chess Club Tournament showcased the strategic prowess of young minds, with 733 students from 78 schools competing in six intense rounds this spring. Organized by Nancy Golden, a specialist in curriculum and digital learning, the tournament highlighted the cognitive benefits of chess, which is known to enhance academic performance, creativity, and confidence among players.

The tournament celebrated remarkable individual performances, starting with Logan Kazmierzak, a second grader from John Young Elementary, who dominated the K-2 division by winning all six of his games. In the third to fifth grade category, Bodie Herman from Audubon Park also achieved a perfect score, while Ashish Jagan, a seventh grader from South Creek Middle School, triumphed in the middle school division. The high school competition saw Felipe De Sylvia from Lake Nona High School emerge victorious, also with a flawless record.

Team competitions were equally fierce, with Avalon Elementary School claiming the K-2 championship, Audubon Park winning in the third to fifth grade division, South Creek Middle School taking the middle school title, and Lake Nona High School repeating their success in the high school category.

In addition to chess, the meeting recognized the achievements of students in the Math Olympics, where teams from 26 schools tackled challenging problems. Stone Lakes Elementary emerged as the top team among 156 participants, showcasing the district's commitment to fostering academic excellence.

Board members expressed their pride in the students' accomplishments and the support from teachers and parents, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives in building a strong educational community. As the school year wraps up, the anticipation for next year's competitions is already building, promising more opportunities for students to shine.