Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine May 2018 | Page 11

High School Division
With only three schools competing in the high
school division, Rolando Dorbecker knew the
competitors would be serious. Dorbecker, a student
at South Iredell High School won the competition
after a sixth and final round. “I was pretty excited I
won. I’ve tried multiple times before and I got very
Paige Cook - 2nd place,
Iredell High School was
close to first place, stated Dorbecker. He finished by
Rolando Dorbecker - 1st place,
presented with the
and Sai Pranav Swarna - 2nd
Sportsmanship Trophy in the
saying, “But now, this time, I got to 1st place, and I
place.
High School Division at the
won!” The competition was fierce. Two second places
tournament.
were awarded. Paige Cook and Sai Pranav Swarna,
both from South Iredell High School, received these awards. Dorbecker knows chess is something that
requires consistency. He explained you have to strive to improve all the time. “Sometimes you get into
droughts when you don’t improve and start playing bad, but I think to improve you just have to practice and
persevere,” he explained. Dorbecker said the interaction with others originally drew him to the game. “I
think it’s just fun to be able to play with others and interact. It's a fun game that uses your intellect and your
creativity,” raved Dorbecker.
Sportsmanship
While these nine students captured the awards, three
schools took home trophies for the competition’s first Best
Sportsmanship and Etiquette Awards. The award allows a
team to be recognized for professionalism and character.
“This award is given to an elementary, middle, and high
school team that exhibits good character, chess etiquette
and shows professionalism throughout the tournament,”
stated Kelly Hinson, Director of AIG, IB and Online
Learning. “The addition of this award allows the district
to focus on the character traits that make for a positive
competition experience among our students,” she added.
In the Elementary Division, Third Creek Elementary School
was recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship and
etiquette. Troutman Middle School received the award
for the Middle School Division. The Sportsmanship and
Etiquette Award was awarded to West Iredell High School
for the High School Division.
The I-SS Chess Tournament is a district-wide tournament
that allows students the opportunity to play chess with
one another, have fun and celebrate their success while
competing. An individual trophy was awarded to each
student that placed. The schools that claimed the Best
Sportsmanship Award were given a trophy to display at each
of their schools.
The tournament was sponsored by the Academically or
Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program and directed by Mr. Jon
Edge, a social studies teacher at Brawley Middle School. Mr.
Todd Russo, assistant principal at Lakeshore Elementary
School and Mr. Patric Patterson, a science teacher at West
Iredell High School served as arbiters for the competition.
Iredell-Statesville School & Family 9