This is a video that I made with the purpose of sharing it will all of the Vernon Family and Friends, so the children are cherished equally in the video. You can see Gabriel and Isaaiah's chess friends, some of which they have known for 4 or more years.
This chess year was especially fun, because during the Regional Chess Tournament, Vernon won 1st place for the Team! That hasn't happened for a while, and although I don't have that Regional video ready...the tournament was a blast. Isaaiah was on the Regional Team for the first time...and everyone contributed to the team first place win..with EVERY CHILD WINNING THEIR FINAL ROUND GAME!!! Mr. Malone said that that has never happened in his many many many years of coaching chess! Also! Gabriel won first place in the Regional tournament winning all five of his games..and playing and winning on the top board twice!
So that was a huge celebration!
State Chess is of course a sobering step up into playing much more difficult chess, and you will see that seriousness on the face of our kids. The Middle School team is seperate from the Elementary team, but the kids on both teams are fast friends. Isaaiah made the State Team voted by her teammates which was a huge honor for her. In the later rounds she stepped aside to let other girls have a State experience.
Jalon is Gabriel's best friend, and they are spiritually matched brothers...both kids of huge heart and even huger integrity....I LOVE Jalon! well...everyone loves Jalon.
Josiah is in the Middle School and is the talented son of Mr. Malone the fun and fabulous coach...Josiah is also a great friend!
There are so many to introduce....children that I have seen struggle and prevail over the years, and who I am so proud of.
Here is a link to a newspaper article about Vernon Chess Team:
DOUBLE DOG WAAAAY COOL !
ReplyDeleteEspecially Gabes and Zayah !
kids say:
ReplyDeleteThankyou Grandpa John (Isaaiah says)maybe some time you could come to a chess tournament. I hope to play chess again with you next time I see you! (Gabriel)I hope we can play Monsterpocalypse next time I see you!
Thank you kids for your kind words. Sure I'd love to come to your next tournament.
ReplyDeleteI hope to soon play some chess with you too Zayah !
Gabes, lets play chess. I want to see if I can still win with you AND when you're REAL OLD like me it's almost impossible to learn new games like Monsterapocolypse.
I know what you mean about new games being hard to learn. I have play MonPoc about 5 times now...and it feels like my neurons have calf cramps almost every time I do it. I use to have to take a break every 30 minutes...But now...playing the same creatures each time with only tiny game variations...I am starting to get the hang of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is alarming to see how quick the kids get a concept and can see most of its implications....while at the same time displaying no special understanding of common place things such as....drawers that pull out....can also push back in just as easily.
(muppet voice over) "Children,...loose...in...the....UNIVERSE!"