SCOPE celebrates 10th year
By: David Casey, Times staff writer
02/28/2007

CENTRAL FALLS – On Monday, the organizers of SCOPE (Schools and Community Organized to Promote Excellence), an after- school and summer-enrichment program, celebrated its 10th anniversary and announced the restructuring of its District Wide Steering Council.

…One of SCOPE’s most visible successes is its network of acclaimed middle and elementary school chess clubs, which are run by teachers Frank DelBonis of Calcutt Middle School and Gina Dufresne of Robertson (Elementary) School.

Started as precursors to the high school club, SCOPE’s chess teams have won state, regional and national chess competitions and produced young chess virtuosos like Christian Izurietta, a recent high school graduate who was among the top 50 high school chess players in the country at the height of his scholastic chess career. Izurietta entered the program when he was in the 7th grade.

“The chess program has helped me…to expand my mind and taught me how to deal better with life’s situations,” said Izurietta. “Not to mention the opportunity to meet new people and travel to places beyond the city.”

Here is the full article.

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