All students at each of Westerville’s middle schools were invited to participate in school-wide chess activities leading to the selection of a building representative to compete in the Middle School District Chess Tournament in May. Chess instructor and judge Marv McDaniel, along with middle school gifted education facilitators Debbie Pellington and Lisa Huelskamp, organized building and/or grade level matches.
Blendon chess champions are Bryce Goff, grade 8 (will advance); Jack Wheeler, grade 6; Quentin Sheets, grade 7; and Zach Ball, grade 7. Genoa chess champions are A. B., grade 6 (will advance); Andy Wang, grade 6; Sagar Shah, grade 8; and Jameson Cho, grade 6. Heritage chess champions are Sammy Gurgiolo, grade 6 (will advance); Max Scholl, grade 8; Cade Carter, grade 6; and Dylan Penny, grade 8. Walnut Springs champions are Grant Schneider, grade 6 (will advance); Bennett Keyer, grade 6; Owen DeTemple, grade 8; Evan Dennison, grade 7; and Elmer Hernandez, grade 8.