Reps. Waters, Accavitti, Adamini, Ball, Booher, Brown, Byrum, Caswell, Cheeks, Clack, Condino, Cushingberry, DeRoche, Farrah, Garfield, Gleason, Gonzales, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hood, Hopgood, Jones, Kehrl, Kooiman, Kathleen Law, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Mayes, McDowell, Meisner, Miller, Murphy, Nitz, Pastor, Pearce, Phillips, Plakas, Polidori, Sak, Sheltrown, Virgil Smith, Spade, Tobocman, Vagnozzi and Vander Veen offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 91.

A resolution honoring Duffield Elementary School for winning the National Chess Club Championship and Duffield Middle School for being the National Chess Club Championship runner-up.

Whereas, It is with great pleasure that we commend the students, coaches, and parents of Duffield Elementary/Middle School Chess Club upon receiving special honors as the National Chess Club winners.  Duffield Elementary placed 4th in the state and then went on to place first in the nation.  Duffield Middle School (K-9) placed 6th in the state and then placed 2nd in the nation; and

Whereas, This recognition is a well-earned milestone symbolic of innovation, planning, and the personal commitment of many people who share the belief that chess is a powerful educational tool.  Currently, many school administrators realize the tremendous benefit, both socially and scholastically, chess has on students of all ages; and

            Whereas, Attaining the level of excellence reflected at Duffield Elementary/Middle School is attributed to a unity of purpose that brings together all the elements of a successful learning environment.  This experience enabled them to deal effectively with the wide range of influences necessary to prepare our young people for the challenges of tomorrow; and            Whereas, Principal Donna Nesbitt, Coach Dave Carthen, Coach Kevin Fite, Coach Glenn Smith, Coach Larry Stewart, and the proud parents of Duffield Elementary/Middle School Chess Team realize that chess is a tool that teaches students how to think logically and efficiently.  Chess provides challenges for students which motivates them to study and strive for excellence; and

Whereas, Fourty-eight percent of Duffield’s Chess Team has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  The team members consist of: Shirley Bass; Janavia Boyd; Tramayne Coody, who placed 19th in the nation (K-9); Vanessa Crater, who won 4 ½ out of 7 matches at nationals; Christopher Cunningham, who placed 5th in the nation; Nobie Dawsey, who was a bronze medalist at the state tournament; Marquis Edmonson, who placed 11th in the nation going 6-1; Briana Ellington, who was a silver medalist at the state tournament, and tied for 25th in the nation (K-6);  Bria Green, who was a gold medalist at the state tournament; Bryon Green, who was a silver medalist at the state tournament; Brandie James, who was a gold medalist at the state tournament; Anthony Jasper; Maurice Jenkins, who placed 3rd in the nation (K-9) and who was a silver medalist at the state tournament and at the Windsor-Detroit tournament; Knydra Jefferson; Jaron Marshall, who  placed 1st at nationals (K-6) going 7-0; Aaron Martin, who won 5 ½ of 7 matches at the nationals; Mica Randolph, who tied for 25th place in nation (K-6); Brejae Redden; Sherman Redden, who was a silver medalist at the state tournament; Stephanie Rittenhouse; Jackie Roberson, who was a silver medalist at the state tournament and a bronze medalist at the Windsor-Detroit tournament; India Spencer, who went 4-3 at nationals; Monet Stokes, who was a silver medalist; Tavonte Tyler, who was a bronze medalist; D’metria Wilson, who placed 9th in the nation and was a bronze medalist; and D’metrius Wilson, who was a silver medalist at the state tournament and at the Windsor-Detroit tournament, now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Represenatives, That the members of this legislative body honor Duffield Elementary School for winning the National Chess Club Championship and Duffield Middle School for being the National Chess Club Championship runner-up.