Keeping our youth healthy, active and engaged is crucial to the long-term viability of Baltimore City. But physical activity and sports are not the only ways to accomplish this goal.
On Friday, May 4, some of the best young chess players in the area spent the afternoon at City Hall competing for the championship in the Y of Central Maryland's annual tournament. The Y's chess program has been around for six years and includes about 100 kids who are learning valuable lessons that will serve them for a lifetime.
"The same lessons they learn playing chess – strategic thinking, planning, changing your course, and watching out for pitfalls – are what they use to succeed in life," said Bradley Alston, operations director for the Y of Central Maryland.
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About a dozen finalists competed for trophies in two leagues, novice and advanced. I was impressed by these students' enthusiasm, patience and maturity as they put their skills to the test.
"It's been very rewarding to see less disciplinary problems, better school attendance, and more participation in school as a result of this program," Alston said. "We're really developing future leaders."
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This great program is a perfect example of how I'm partnering with community groups to expand my P.L.A.Y. Campaign (Productive Lives, Active Youth). P.L.A.Y. provides Baltimore’s youth with a wide range of opportunities to strengthen their self-confidence, develop leadership skills, learn from positive role models, and be rewarded for their academic achievements