At Syracuse's Southside Charter Academy, we are very proud of the accomplishments of our Chess Club, which has made a difference in our school. We believe that playing chess helps students practice mental discipline and perseverance, builds problem-solving skills, and develops self-confidence. They also learn how to behave at chess tournaments and they meet and make friends with students from many other schools all over Onondaga County.
Anton Ninno has been the faculty adviser for the Southside Charter Academy Chess Club since establishing the program soon after he joined the staff in December 2005. Some of the club members have grown immensely in their social skills as a result of joining the club. Parents often are amazed of how the behavior of their children has also changed at home, especially when playing with their siblings.
Our chess club now has 32 elementary and middle school students who meet after school every Wednesday. They receive a lesson from our coach, Bob Nasiff, a national chess master, and then play with each other.
From left to right: Jeff Clark, NHA's CEO; Alex James, Southside Charter Academy student;
Greg Speranza, Southside Charter Academy's principal.
Alex won the 2nd place trophy in the K-6 division at the Louis Mariani Memorial Scholastic Chess Tournament held on December 1, 2007 at Henninger High School here in Syracuse. Alex's performance helped our school win the 2nd place team trophy in the same division, with four other Southside Charter Academy students.
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Southside Team is City Champ!
Southside Charter Academy, of Syracuse, hosted its 2nd annual scholastic chess tournament on March 15, 2008 and won the team trophy.
Southside Champs
Front, Left to Right: Christian Champaigne, Paris Holloman, Ronnie Holmes, Sage Dygert
Back, Left to Right: Savon Smith, Fola Oluyede, Jeremiah Jones, Yusef Reynolds, Grep Speranza (principal)
Tourney Room - Southside's chess players in action
Foreground: Yusef Reynolds, 8th grade (Left) plays Fola Oluyede, 5th grade (Right)
Tournament Standings:
1st place - Sage Dygert, 5th grade
2nd place - Fola Oluyede, 5th grade
3rd place - Jeremiah Jones, 8th grade
Winning Team - Southside Academy
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2009 Southside Trophy Winners
Southside Charter Academy students participated in a local chess tournament in December 2009.
