Friday, January 14, 2011

MLK JR. FAMILY CHESS DAY

Showalter Science and Discovery High School students will go to the African American Museum on January 15, 2011 from 2-4:30 PM. 24 Chaperones and 22 students will attend the 4th annual event to checkmate violence.

Mr. Stanley Hwang, Algebra Teacher at the Science and Discovery High School, has been the advisor of the Chess Club in the After School Program since last year. The following statements are from Mr. Hwang: My experience with chess includes about 13 plus years of competitive experience and placing in various national and state level tournaments at a younger age. I currently network with a group called After Schools Activities Program based in Philadelphia and would like to help you and/or your children reach their full potential with chess in the time that I will have with them and you. This program offers inexpensive or free events throughout the school year and lent me some official chess sets to work with…I hope to be able to positively influence the students. I understand that we have great sports programs and a few competitive extra-curriculars, but I would like to provide more students with an opportunity to explore culture or compete in more activities.

The Chess event at the African American Museum is brought to students by the After School Activities Partnership (ASAP). More than 200 public school students, their parents, teachers, and chess coaches will gather to play chess in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of the Family Chess Day. In the spirit of Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence, students want to honor his memory by showing that playing chess after school is a safe, enriching positive alternative to violence.

Special guests will be Congressman Chaka Fattah who will play a simultaneous chess match against multiple students, and historical re-enactor Dr. Daisy Nelson Century will perform as Harriet Tubman. Informal chess matches will occur throughout the day; raffles will be held for participating families; and chess trainings will be offered for people new to the game. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free MLK Day t-shirt! Attendees will be able to tour the African American Museum and its newly renovated exhibits for free. Light snacks will also be provided. The event is open to the public.

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