I’d like to take a moment to share something the mother of one of our chess student’s said about the young men at Bahamas Chess Championships, a chess tournament we run out of Grand Bahama Island. This was the first year we opened the tournament to the entire community, and this mom traveled from Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, so her son could participate. Here’s her story:
“I want to say thank you on behalf of Kevin and I to all participants who made Kevin very comfortable and welcomed us, especially Wilton, who once his game was done checked on Kevin and reassured me that he was doing well. Also to Kendall who gave him a big wave as soon as he approached the chess tent.”
Here’s a photo of Wilton (left), Kevin (middle) and myself.
Kevin is what you’d call a triple threat. He plays baseball, basketball and runs track. He’s also on the debate team, and has only seen a grade lower than an A once in all of his life. Seriously, his current year GPA is a 3.995.
Kevin started playing chess at our summer camp last June. That’s where he met Wilton, who then became sort of a big brother to him.
I’ve known and have coached Wilton for 4 years, since he was in the 7th grade. He’s the kind of young man who’s involved in every other after school activity; from debate, to student council, to robotics, to chess…and on top of that he’s an athlete, playing on a championship soccer team. He is well mannered, respects adults and is looked up to by his peers…and does it all while earning straight A’s.
Raised by a single mom, Wilton also has 8 brothers and sisters. Eight. Forget a starting 5, Wilton could start a coed flag football team with his siblings. So, as the 6th child, one of 3 brothers and 5 sisters, it’s not surprising that when it comes to being a great teammate and big brother, this guy is just that for our younger players and new comers.
This is Kendell in the front on the left. She has the sweetest smile, but don’t get it twisted. She took no mercy as she went on to win this match.
Kendell has been playing chess for a little over a year now. A soft spoken young lady who is far from the social butterfly…except, when it comes to hanging out with the chess homies. You can see Kendell opening up more and more at chess club, one of the first teams she’s ever been a part of. She may not play physical sports, but chess gives her an outlet were she can not only socialize, but also build confidence in competition. Her parents say this confidence has also spilled over into the classroom, where in math class Kendell has gone from an average student, to an A student.
Anyways, let’s get back to this mothers most gracious thank you…
“To the parents, for interacting and talking to me, it made me feel right at home. To CJ’s mom, and I can’t remember the name of the other lady, but I do know the young man that played is her only son. Our conversation stood out as we discussed the importance of training our young men.
There’s CJ in the orange shirt with the big smile.
CJ, one of our youngest players at only 8 years old, is a joy to be around (as you can see in the pic above). His parents first got him involved in chess because he needed a challenge. He began to “act out” a little in school…not because he was struggling, but frankly, he was a little bored.
You see CJ isn’t just a straight A student, he’s one of brightest boys you may ever meet, literally. Not only is he already reading on the level of a high school student, when CJ took the GATES test (an IQ test for kids that measures basic math, reasoning and verbal skills) he earned THE highest score for students at his grade level throughout the Anglican Schools of the Bahamas. His teachers said they NEVER saw a student get scores as high as him.
Can we take a quick commercial break to congratulate these young people over here making these A’s rain though?!
But, as Mom was saying…
“It was GREAT to see the number of young men we had out there. This is rarely seen so I will just go ahead and make the statement that ALL IS NOT LOST PERTAINING TO OUR YOUNG MEN and there is HOPE😁.
A big THANK YOU to Coach Sorsby and his support team. Thank you for the encouraging words, advice and life learning experiences being compared to chess.
eg. Chess makes you think about the next move you make, and the effect that move will have on you once made, may it be a good or bad one.
Just want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! ♟♟♟♟♟ is worth it all!”
Man…my heart was so full after hearing this y’all. When you’re working with youth, there are times you become frustrated and may ask yourself, am I really having an impact? Is this really all worth it?
Then every now and then, you get the kind of feedback this mother gave, and you’re reminded why we do this work. You’re reminded that when it comes to building a strong community everyone has a role to play…from young, to old, to everybody in between. It takes us all, and as Frederick Douglas said, “it’s easier to build up strong men (and women), than it is to repair them.”
Coach Sorsby
a humble servant, full of gratitude and hope
For more information on how you can help some deserving young people like Kevin, Wilton, Kendell, CJ and more, please click the button below: