Congratualtions

Class of 2009

 

To Students:

I am so very proud of each of our 13 high school graduates, the first to participate in the Hip-Hop Chess Federation's Life Strategies Program: Matthew Anderson, Michael Applegate, Devyn Becker, Joseph Cusic, Alexander James Evans, Sereyvathanak Khorn, Meagan Morse, Fred Martin, Kyle Martin, Dirk Nguyen, Raven Niles, Kelcee O'Neal and Lovone Wynn.

Even though four of you were barred from walking across that stage on graduation night you still took the defeat with dignity and grace.

Your families stood by you graduation night as the greatest theft I have ever witnessed took place: the theft of your moment. Your families were with you as the economy and those in power over your future stood resolutely against you. But this tournament of kings and queens is not over yet. You have been in and out of check a dozen times, but you are still in play. Life is not just one game, but a series of tournaments.

Holding your transcripts and diplomas hostage for unpaid tuition has put college on hold, dashed scholarships and made you want to walk away from the board. But there are many routes to victory. Your opponents were beating you on the clock in the last round and now the clock is gone and their power and strategic advantage is reduced.

Now it's your time. Now you will play the long game and the pieces you once fought, thinking they were stong, are weak in the hands of people who play checkers while you are mastering chess.

Mrs. Suhay

Teacher

 

** Matthew Anderson, Fred Martin, Kyle Martin and Lovone Wynn have graduated even though they never walked across the stage that night. They have been awarded Certificates of Valor by the US Chess Trust and had letters written to them by Dr. Bill Cosby who called down the words of Dr. Heinrik Clarke to give them strength to move forward.

If those of you reading this meet one of these young men and have the opportunity to reach out and shake his hand, or offer him a word of encouragement or life coaching, I strongly encourge you to do so. I believe there is more power in encouragement, dignity and honoring eachother than we realize.

 

 

Contact Lisa Suhay: Lsuhays2@cox.net.

-30-