Chess league says ‘goodbye’ to six graduating seniors

MADISON – Madison City Chess League or MCCL had to say ‘farewell’ to six seniors, who have achieved a proficient mastery of the game of chess and secured academic honors during their years in high school.

“They have served as chess club officers, coaches and tournament directors throughout their time in high school and also have competed with distinction at the local, state and national levels,” MCCL President Ranae Bartlett said.

“They are the best of the best. We thank them for their service and sharing their gifts to help grow chess in Madison,” she said.

* Neha Chopade — Served as Secretary for the Chess Club at Bob Jones High School. Neha will attend Cornell University in the fall. She has chosen chemical engineering for a major. Neha co-chaired a citywide recycling project, Bob Jones Science Challenge and was published in a technical journal.

* Puja Chopade — Puja will attend Stanford University and major in biology. Puja was co-founder of Bob Jones Science Academy, state finalist in pathophysiology at HOSA State Leadership Conference and chosen for the Research Science Institute in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT.

* Sherwood Dong – Served as Vice President of the James Clemens High School Chess Club. He leaves James Clemens as its highest rated chess player. Sherwood will attend the University of Florida; his major will be computer science. He plans to compete in the collegiate chess league.

* Victor Lundy — Volunteered as coach of All-Star Chess Club for three years while at Bob Jones. Victor tied as winner in the 2020 Alabama State Chess Championship for the Under 1800 section and earned second place as a junior in Madison’s City Chess Championship. He will attend the University of Alabama and study veterinary medicine.

* Shreya Sunil – Served as President of the James Clemens Chess Club. She was a state finalist in creative problem solving at the HOSA State Leadership Conference. Shreya plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a member of the Early Medical School Acceptance Program. Her major will be genetics and genomic sciences.

* Constance Wang – Elected to President of Bob Jones Chess Club. Constance achieved the status of semifinalist in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. She won first place in the K-12 section in the 2020 Alabama All Girls State Tournament. Constance has decided to attend Brown University in the fall.

For more information, call 256-970-4762, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com or Facebook.