Giving kids a chance to shine

West Valley City • Jaxson Bailey knows exactly what he loves about chess.

“You get to kill your friends without actually killing them in real life,” said the West Lake Junior High eighth-grader, moments after collecting his first-place trophy at the initial Community Education Partnership of West Valley City (CEP) Chess Tournament.

Krista LeFevre enjoys the game for different reasons.

“I like being able to think hard and work really hard at winning,” said the Farnsworth Elementary sixth-grader as she clutched her second-place trophy.

Whatever their reason for loving the game with 64 black and white squares, 122 students from across West Valley City met last week at West Lake Junior High to showcase their chess skills and inaugurate a new tradition.

They played quick 15-minute per side games during the two-hour tournament, and the top two students from each grade level won trophies. Every kid also received a participation certificate and a wristband that reads: “College bound: the best move.”

“It’s heartwarming,” said West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder as he scanned the room and saw dozens of kids hunched over chess boards with furrowed brows. “These young people are our future. It’s great to see kids doing things that help to stretch their minds and learn and grow.”

The CEP, a nonprofit dedicated to providing West Valley City children with educational opportunities, runs after-school programs in 16 schools and serves about 3,000 students. Participants take part in a number of academic and fun activities, including chess.