MISSION, TEXAS (April 24, 2024) - Thirteen students from Mims Elementary will be representing Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) against the nation’s best at the US Chess Federation 2024 National Championships in Columbus, Ohio April 26-28.
Reflecting on the team's journey, Daniella Alaniz, a math teacher at Mims Elementary and the chess team sponsor, started the program in 2019 from the ground up after having experience training nationally ranked chess players in McAllen.
“The funny thing is, I was ‘volun-told’ at first in McAllen, that’s how I started training and learned to love the game,” Alaniz said. "When I moved to Mission CISD, I thought this was something new I could bring to the district."
With the support and guidance of Mims Elementary Principal, Esteban Lucio. The school has been the first in Mission CISD history to start a chess team and marks a significant milestone in being one of the first to represent the district at the national championships according to Alaniz.
“They have worked really hard in just one year,” Alaniz said. “For some, this was the first year ever that they had touched a chess piece. And now, they are going to nationals! It’s amazing and I’m just so proud to see where they have come.”
The Mims Elementary Chess Team includes:
- Two first graders - Andres Ayala and Ikzander Moreno
- Two third graders - Noah Garcia and Alexander Aguillon
- Three fourth graders - Edward Fisher, Ruben Yzaguirre, and Zander Cantu
- Six fifth graders - Arya Ramirez, Raphael Salmeron, Eugene Jimenez, Wyatt Vargas, Sabrina Guzman, and Trinity De Leon
Eugene Jimenez, Mims Elementary fifth-grade student, and second-year chess player highlighted the strategic aspect of the game. It indeed is, black and white he said.
“It’s simple, you must always be planning every move ahead,” Jimenez said. "Unlike other board games, you can’t get lucky playing chess. It is all about skill and strategizing."
The game of chess offers valuable learning opportunities to students beyond the game itself; improving concentration, reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving, according to the Indermaur Chess Foundation.
Compared to other sports or academic competitions, chess is an even playing field. Chess players do not have an advantage based on their age, gender, physical size, race, or socio-economic status, according to Alaniz.
RETI OR NOT, HERE THEY COME!
Looking ahead to nationals, Mims Elementary 5th grade student Arya Ramirez expressed a mix of excitement and nerves.
"I have a few tricks and strategies that I'm ready to use," Ramirez said. “Having my parents and Ms. Alaniz’s support all the way through has been great and I'm ready to take on Nationals!"
As nationals approach, Mims Elementary's chess team is braced to take on the competition in Ohio. Dr. Carol G. Perez, Superintendent of Schools for Mission CISD, echoes this sentiment of pride. Their path to the national championship, though challenging, stands as a testament to their dedication.
"We here at Mission CISD cannot be more proud of our first-ever chess team," Perez said. "We know they work so hard and are now on their way to a national championship! From our Mission CISD Board of Trustees, educational leadership team, and staff we wish them the very best!"
Although Nationals is just around the corner, Mims Elementary has ambitious plans for their chess team, and for the future of chess in the district. Hoping to expand to more schools in the coming years.
For more details about the US Chess Federation 2024 National Championships, please visit: https://new.uschess.org/2024-national-elementary-k-6-championships
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