THE COMPLETE STUDENT

Chess Champion

photos courtesy of THE COMPLETE STUDENT

Just before dawn on Tuesday the 15th three high school students, Evan Bergh, Aidan Dreier, and Ellyn Grace Tuckwiller, met their teacher, Mr. Henry Dreier, in the parking lot at The Complete Student and started the long drive to Sumter Country Civic Center to compete in the State Championship Chess Tournament hosted by SCISA. None of these students had been playing chess for longer than a couple of years when they asked if our school would let them compete. They do not have chess tutors, coaches, or even a real team, but they love to play. Evan Bergh, a 10th grade student, has wowed his classmates by playing games blindfolded! Even more impressive, he typically wins! Ellyn Grace, a 12th grade student, is slated to be valedictorian of her class and is already a very accomplished ballet dancer. She began playing chess this year as a “fun new challenge.” Aidan Dreier played his first game in the third grade, but only started playing regularly this year and loves the strategy involved.

These three students play chess during recess a few times a week and encourage each other to try new strategies that they read about online.

The Complete Student, TCS, is a relatively new school. It is an inclusive, project based, student-centered school that serves many different types of learners. TCS’s Swamp Rabbits, their grit filled team mascot, have never competed in a chess tournament before and although it was only three TCS students that attended, the other 81 students were on pins and needles all day waiting for updates on how the competition unfolded.

Each time an update came from the Mr. Henry Dreier, an announcement was made to all the other classes. When the next announcement was made that each of our competitors had won one game, the students on campus cheered. When next announcement came that Adian and Ellyn Grace had advanced to two wins and that Evan was still undefeated at four wins, a chorus of cheers could be heard coming out of each classroom as students on campus started getting very excited.

This story is what Bill Murray would call a “Cinderella Story.” The goal was to gain experience. The hope was to win a few matches. The dream was to give Evan a run for his money! The understanding going in was that this “team” was unfunded, untried, and really just there to learn more about themselves.

When the final announcement came through, students jumped to their feet and applauded their classmates! Ellyn Grace finished with 2 wins, Aidan with 3, and Evan Bergh remained undefeated throughout the competition! The school spirit was palpable and absolutely everyone was filled with TCS Swamp Rabbit pride!

Ladies and Gentleman, TCS is proud to introduce Evan Bergh, the 2022 South Carolina State Chess Champion!