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The Cornerstone School Chess Team (K-8)
Members of the Cornerstone Chess Team were honored recently at a school assembly. First row (from left) are Carla Gibson, Anthony Phifer, Dwayne Brown, Donnell Maclin, Kalon Suggs, Demetrius Jackson and Michael Brown. Second row (from left) are Christian Yanish, Brenae Smith, Curtis Kennedy, Phillip Brooks IV, Arnold Thomas, James Davenport, Jordan Candie and Donovan Thorpe. Third row (from left) are Dominique Williams, Guwoin Ingram, Jalen Jackson, Xavier McCraney, Dayna Atkinson and Kayla Thomas. – Geronimo Patton photo
The Cornerstone School Chess Team (K-8) recently amazed the media, teachers, and students of the school by winning the 2008 National Junior Championship in Dallas, Tex. Not only did the team win top honors, but it did so under trying circumstances – the team almost didn’t make it to Texas for the nationals.
ATA Airlines went bankrupt and left members of the team stranded at Metro Airport. Thanks to efforts by Fox 2 News and the parents of the students, all but one team member arrived in Dallas. The student, sixth grader Kalon Suggs, was disappointed, though still remains optimistic about the team’s next competition: the Primary and Elementary Nationals in Pittsburgh.
“(Chess) is like life, and I have a great coach,” Kalon said. “I like the playing part and winning. My flight was cancelled and overbooked (but) I’m going to the Junior high school kids nationals.”
The team’s coach, Kevin Fite, has watched his team grow immensely in seven months. They are the 2008 Jr. High Chess State Champions; 2008 Elementary City Champions; and the 2008 Primary City Champions.
He credits an ability to focus solely on coaching and the efforts of the parent coordinators as helping the team achieve their goal. While they focused on fundraising, Fite concentrated on strategies and game play.
“This year all I wanted to do was coach. I think that helped because I didn’t have any other worries,” Fite said. “It couldn’t have happened without the parents.”
Fite says the kid’s biggest achievement is self-esteem.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement in several kids, not just academically, but their self-esteem,” he said. “That’s the one factor people forget. If the self-esteem is good, that’s going to take care of academics and every aspect of their life. I had kids that didn’t talk, now they’re talking. It’s just a special thing. I’m real big on that. They’re the most confident group of kids in the school.”
Parent coordinators T.C. Yanish and Tonya Smith have seen the improvements in their children. Yanish’s son Christian loves the game.
“He was recommended for the chess team by his second grade teacher because I was asking about his focus,” Yanish said. “It is a thinking game, so yes, his grades have improved. They weren’t bad from the beginning, but it enhanced what he already had and allowed him to focus more. Especially in the math area, so that worked out great.”
Smith’s daughter Branae, 8, has aspirations of becoming a grand master (the highest position in tournament competition).
“I would definitely recommend chess. It teaches them to focus more,” Smith said. “She’s never got anything less than a B, (but) her attention to details has really improved. The team is so wonderful. The children work hard, they play hard, (and) they’ve accomplished these wonderful things. I’m so impressed with them and what they’ve accomplished in such a short period of time.”
“It feels good (to be a winner),” said Brenae. “(Chess) will help you get your grades up in math because it’s a thinking game.”
Cornerstone Principal Joan Charnley agrees with Brenae.
“I’m just amazed and thrilled because it’s something that’s challenging, great for the mind. I notice it in their manners and in their treatment of others. I know it builds their self-esteem,” Charnley said. “Basically I think the most important attribute is a person’s character; how they hold themselves, present themselves, and how they treat others. I’m not putting academics second, but I think that a person’s character is very important.”
Phillip Brooks, 12, sees chess as an opportunity to use his mind.
“I like to think; most kids don’t like to think,” Phillip said. “But it’s really fun to think and play. You have to strategize and really focus. It’s really fun.”
Former basketball player Xavier McCianey, 14, gave up hoops for squares.
“Going against other people as the same as rank as you makes you think, it helps you with school so that you can think better in math and science,” Xavier said. “It gives you a problem (to solve).”
The Corner Chess Team will be competing in the Primary and Elementary Nationals May 8-11, in Pittsburgh, Penn. They are currently seeking donations to defray the costs. Donations may be sent to . Cornerstone Academy, 11685 Appleton, Redford, MI 48239. You may also call (313) 592-6061.
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