The annual LPS District Chess Tournament was held Saturday, December 1st at Newton Middle School. Starting at 8:00am and finishing at 3:00pm, approximately 130 students in grades K-8 played five rounds over the course of the competition and when the competition ended, the following students were First Place Winners:

Kindergarten Highest Scorer - Foster Del Mastro from Lenski Elementary
First Grade Group - Holden Cottgias from Lenski Elementary
Second Grade Group - Finley France from Twain Elementary
Third Grade Group - Jacob Segal from Lenski Elementary
Fourth Grade Group - Sam Sweetman from Lenski Elementary
Fifth Grade Group - Aidan Ricenbaw from Franklin Elementary
Sixth-Eighth Grade Group - Jaxton Knutson from Powell Middle School

A big thank you to all who helped with the tournament, especially the GT Facilitators, School Chess Coaches, Alison Pukurdpol, and Jim Hammersmith who served as tournament director.  A special thanks to Newton Middle School Principal James O'Tremba for hosting the competition, Denise Rice, Kevin Wood, and all of the other employees who helped supervise, and the District custodial staff for providing the support needed to make this such a successful event!  

Featured Images: Left - Finian Collins won 3rd place in the 3-4 graders level (5 kids tied for 3rd place.) Center - Lenski Elementary's Sam Sweetman receives his first place trophy for Fourth Grade Group. Right - Nicholas Un won 3rd place in the 5-6 graders level (5 kids tied for 3rd place.)