The last time Chess Club was seen at Duncan Middle School was in the mid-2000s, circa 2006. After nearly 20 years, Chess Club is back.
Duncan Middle School’s Chess Club returned to DMS in September, following sign-ups in August. At the start of the year, 46 students expressed an interest in joining the club, and for it’s meetings, attendance has been high.
“‘I joined Chess Club to see how I can get better and joined because I want to make friends in it,” eighth-grader Skye McQuillian said. “I find chess very fun and interesting. I have been playing it almost all my life and everything.
“I hope to find it very challenging this year, so I can have something to do outside of school.”
Steven Dixon, who teaches technology exploration at DMS, is heading up Chess Club this year. Dixon hosts meetings at 7:30 a.m. every Monday in his classroom.
Although the large number of students participating in Chess Club this year are mostly sixth-graders, the club has reached seventh and eighth-graders, too. Many of the students have used the club as a way to make friends, have fun, to be active at DMS or even to push themselves out of their comfort zones.
Seventh-grade student Wesley Gillett said he joined Chess Club because he liked the sound of the club.
“I am hoping to have a good year this year,” Gillett said. “I’m trying it out because it seems super fun, and I’m hopefully going to have a good year this year.
“I hope to make some friends in it and have a great time. I’m very excited for it this year and hope to get better at chess.”
Gillett said he hopes his chess skills improve so he can hold his own against the people he meets in the club.
“Hopefully, I can beat other people in the game and have a super great time this year,” he said.
