Discovery Middle School, Madison, News, RSS Twitter, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
3:53 pm Friday, April 8, 2016

Gowder, Kueck win chess scholarships

Oviya Gowder won a scholarship to Mid-South Summer Chess Camp in Memphis. CONTRIBUTED

Oviya Gowder won a scholarship to Mid-South Summer Chess Camp in Memphis. CONTRIBUTED

Erin Kueck won a scholarship to Mid-South Summer Chess Camp in Memphis. CONTRIBUTED

Erin Kueck won a scholarship to Mid-South Summer Chess Camp in Memphis. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison City Chess League (MCCL) has selected Oviya Gowder and Erin Kueck as recipients of $500 scholarships to attend Mid-South Summer Chess Camp in Memphis in June.

Gowder is a third-grader at Heritage Elementary School. Kueck is a Discovery Middle School eighth-grader. Both girls are members of MCCL and their respective school chess teams.

A donation from Tennessee Valley Chapter of Women in Defense made the scholarships possible. A scholarship selection committee with MCCL Board Secretary Mollie Bounds, MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett and MCCL Girls Chess Coordinator Beena Chopade selected Gowder and Kueck.

“Mid-South Summer Chess Camp is one of the premiere summer chess camps in our region, headlined by Grand Master Alexander Stripunsky,” Bartlett said. “Numerous grand and international masters and chess experts instruct students grouped by level throughout the day.”

The full-week camp “immerses oneself in chess and a great opportunity for area students to learn from instructors they might not otherwise meet,” Bartlett said.

Gowder was the first board for the K-3 Heritage chess team at the North Alabama Team Scholastic (NATS) tournament and for K-3 MCCL Club Team that placed second at State Scholastic Chess Championship. Gowder won third place in Primary section at City Chess Championship and first place in K-3 section at Rookie Rally.

Heritage Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson said, “Oviya is an academically talented, yet humble, compassionate and fun-loving student. Oviya is the epitome of a well-rounded student.”

Winning the scholarship, Kueck felt “super excited about this opportunity to improve my chess skills and learn from national and international chess masters.”

Kueck began playing chess at Rainbow Elementary School and continued at Discovery. Kueck was on the Discovery Chess Team that won State Chess Championship for Junior High. She will compete at National High School Chess Championship in Atlanta.

Discovery Principal Eric Terrell said, “Erin is a great student who strives for excellence inside and outside the classroom. Erin participates in honor classes and has embodied the spirit of doing something kind for someone everyday.”

For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *