It was a memorable day for the members of the winning chess team, Sunset Park youngsters who on May 22 proudly received their personalized certificates at their home school, P.S. 503.
The P.S. 503 chess club, also known as the Chessmates, was honored at the general PTA meeting at the school, 59th Street and Third Avenue, attended on a monthly basis by parents and teachers, with a surprise visit from Councilmember Sarah Gonzalez.
It was a very busy meeting, but that was the main attraction, said Bernardo Moronta, head of the media committee at the school.
After taking home first place in the Mayors Cup Chess Tournament, which occurred on May 4, and pitted against each other public and private elementary schools throughout the five boroughs, the team members were more than happy to show off their trophies to the school community.
It was neck and neck but two of our students got perfect scores and thats how we pulled ahead. Thanks to our students dedication, a supportive school community and Chess-in-the-Schools, they are the the best in the city, said chess coach and art teacher, Carlos Grapuera, about his students.
Grapuera, along with fellow coaches Matt Silverman and Rachel Hsieh, started the club last year, taking the children all the way to Nationals.
The Chessmates outscored not only every public elementary school at the second annual competition, but also defeated two private schools, Browning and Dalton.
The tournament took place at P.S. 11 in Chelsea and was open to qualifying teams throughout the city.
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