REBECCA LELKO

TWO-TIME WINNER OF ALL-GIRLS SAYS GOODBYE OHIO!

Parents who need to justify supporting their daughters' tournament chess

play can use Rebecca Lelko as an example. Two-time winner of the Ohio All-Girls

Chess Championships and a multiple winner of Susan Polgar's World Open for Girls

earned her a 4-year, $75,000.00 scholarship to Texas Tech!

Rebecca enjoys inspiring others to play chess through her work as an

elementary/middle school chess coach. She says the focus and strategies used in

the game carry over in school and life. Her chess advice? Mix your training

methods with books, playing over the board and especially with analysis of your

played games. Get in the habit of looking at both sides of the board and try to

figure out what your opponent is thinking. Stick with the game even when in a

slump, you will get better!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

BRIANNA CONLEY

Keep your eye on Brianna Conley, who has been invited to attend The

National Young Leadership Workshop in Washington DC. this summer and has also

excelled in Ohio chess. While Brianna improves her public speaking and

leadership qualities in DC, she will also use many of the talents she has honed

over the chessboard. Talents like seeing her goal, organizing her thoughts and

reaching her goal.

Brianna also credits her chess training with her talent for helping friends

assess school problems and finding solutions. Ms. Conley's chess advice? Don't

take a bad tournament too seriously. Stay focused, study tactics and keep your

mind moving. Remember, your strategies change for each game.

ANNA CUSI DELAMERCED

ALL AROUND WINNER!

Anna has played chess for 5 years and credits her play with learning to

focus her thinking and concentration. Her patient and disciplined approach to

chess helped the 14-year old to become a gold medalist in piano.

Anna also finds time to play the clarinet and is active in her school's

Latin Club, writes for the school paper and won last year's Spelling Bee for

Southwest Ohio (and tied for 25th in The National Spelling Bee in D.C.!) Ms.

Delamerced mentors the lower/middle school chess club, with over 50 students

signed up this year. It is not very hard to see how a successful young lady

like Anna has become a role model for success!