Charity checkmate
Grade 5 students plan bake sale to pay for less fortunate peers to play in YK chess tournament
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Friday, April 11, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
In order to defeat their opponent a chess player needs to be a cold, calculating strategist. But a group of students at Range Lake North School are proving that being passionate about chess doesn't mean you can't also have a big heart.
Bailey Johnston, 10, left, takes on Mathieu Durnford, 11, in a chess match as William Cote, 10 watches on. The three boys have gotten together to host a bake sale to help others compete in a city chess tournament. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
Led by Grade 5 students Mathieu Durnford, Bailey Johnston and William Cote, members from the school's chess team are planning to hold a bake sale to raise money for students who cannot afford to enter a city wide chess tournament for Yk1 students, set to take place on May 3.
Durnford said he came up with the idea to hold the bake sale because the $20 entry fee kept some students from entering last year's tournament.
Although it means there will be more competition, Durnford said he just wants as many people to take part in the tournament as possible.
Assistant principal Courteney Lizotte said she wasn't surprised to find out that Durnford had taken the initiative because he is always thinking about others.
"It's great because Mathieu really loves playing chess and he just wants other kids who enjoy playing to have that opportunity," said Lizotte.
"It really shows that he cares," added teacher Andrew Austin, who ran the school's chess club until Durnford decided to take over this year.
Durnford has been part of the school's chess club for three years now. Austin described Durnford as a "thoughtful" chess player who "has the natural ability to think three steps ahead."
"I have a hard time beating him," he admitted.
The school's chess club meets every Tuesday to play during lunchtime, as well as whenever recess is held indoors due to cold weather. And when Dunford can't find an opponent he likes to practice by playing chess on his iPad. The boys said they prefer playing chess to video games because they enjoy the challenge of having to think strategically.
The students' enthusiasm is refreshing for Lizotte.
"It's nice to see them love something so unique as chess," she said.
The bake sale is set to take place at the school next Thursday. Durnford said he is hoping to raise at least $100 to go toward sending between eight to 10 students, including himself, to the tournament.
Leftover money will be used to buy new chess boards and pieces for the chess club.
