see www.maryvalepanthers.com for more details!
Patrick Neely MHS Class 1964 in the News
Students can combine the fun of the surfer world with the
traditions of the ancient game of chess.
The cafeteria of
Bicentennial North Elementary School is a place where students can become
Surf Goddesses and Kahunas. They’re not jumping on boards and riding the waves.
They’re playing a game you would be least likely to associate with surfing:
chess.
The tapping of chess pieces on the board accompanied by surf guitar and the
music of the Beach Boys, sets the mood for the school’s Tuesday Surf n’ Chess
Club.
The idea to combine the two activities was created by retired teacher Patrick
Neely more than 20 years ago in 1990. Neely lived in California for 20 years and
taught in a very rough area. As an alternative for the afterschool activities
the streets might hold, he created
Surf n’
Chess.
“There were chess clubs in other schools and they usually had 9 to 12 bright
kids in them,” says Neely. “I wanted to get as many kids as I could off of the
street and into my classroom, having fun, smiling, using good sportsmanship,
challenging and accelerating their minds.”
Respect and good sportsmanship are two of the most important skills students
develop in the club. The room is constantly in “party” mode with more than 60
members, but players must look each other in the eye, shake hands and wish their
opponents good luck before each game.
Neely also teaches students that it takes time and work to achieve their
goals. Students work through different levels in the club to reach the ultimate
status of an Immortal Surf God. Wannabes are the newest members of the club;
they work hard to become just like their surf heroes. As the number of games won
increases, students work their way up the ranks. After 50 wins they are named
Kahunas and Surf Goddesses. When members win 100 games, they gain the status of
Forever Young. If they are one of the lucky few to win 150 games, they reach the
ultimate goal of becoming Immortal Surf Gods.
The students at Bicentennial North Elementary are well on their way to becoming Kahunas and Surf Goddesses
Critical thinking and strategic planning skills learned in the Surf n’ Chess
club have helped its alumni reach great heights. One winner of the Tim Hogan
Memorial Kahuna Classic (named after one of Neely’s former students, who passed
away in a surfing accident) is now a teacher at MIT. Another is at the
University of Arizona medical school. One has fought for the U.S. in Iraq.
Having fun may be the most important part of the club. While students do play
chess, there are also surf movies playing and prizes to win. “If they jump up
and start dancing to the first 14 words of ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.’ they get their name
in the ‘PICK ME’ jar twice for the drawing at the end of the meeting,” Neely
says. You can even challenge the Original Kahuna himself (Neely). At the end of
the year, the club will go on a trip to
Big Surf
in Tempe.
Five schools are participating in Surf n’ Chess, with nine more lined up for
next year. Neely has started a non-profit to help with costs as funds are
limited at the schools. Tax credit donations and a partnership with the City of
Glendale Parks and Recreation Department have provided some of the needed chess
sets.
“The two things I would like the kids to take with them in life are: (1)
Treat everyone just like you would like to be treated and (2) strategize and
plan ahead in your life,” says Neely. “So Surf’s up, baby!” — Veronica Jones
Bicentennial North Elementary School, located at 7237 W. Missouri Ave., is
in the
Glendale Elementary School District.
Wells Fargo Sponsors Arizona Cardinals Kids Camp for
100 Sunset Elementary School
Students
Big Red, Arizona Cardinals Alumni Player Join Students in Fun
Exercises and Other Activities
Phoenix, Mar. 23, 2011 – Wells Fargo is joining the Arizona
Cardinals to host a Kids Camp for 100 Sunset Elementary school students from the
Maryvale School District.
WHEN:
Mar. 26, 2011, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
WHAT: Wells
Fargo will sponsor the Arizona Cardinals Kids Camp where 100 Sunset Elementary
school students will participate in stretching exercises, football drills and
other fun aerobic exercises at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona mascot
Big Red will be there along with Arizona Cardinals alumni player Martay Jenkins
who will help with drills and exercises – and will talk with the kids about the
Arizona Cardinals football program. Each child attending will receive a
reusable lunch bag at the conclusion of the event.
PHOTOS MHS PULLANOS NITE 2009