Chess Champs at York House

Pepi at the BC Chess Championships
Pepi at the BC Chess Championships. Click for the full photo gallery.

A few weekends ago, four Yorkies played in the BC Chess Championships, five games Swiss over three days with up to 3 hours per game. They basically lived at Arbutus Mall for the entire weekend! Everyone played against boys and girls sportingly. The girls ended the weekend with the following final results:

  • Good play by Joyce, Gr. 3 (amassing 1.5 points and ending 5th in U10 Girls)
  • Annika, Gr. 6 became U12 Girls BC Champion
  • Pepi, Gr. 7 became U14 Girls BC Champion
  • Alice, Gr. 12, tied for 1st and became U18 Girls BC Champion.

Annika, Pepi and Alice will be representing BC to take on the challengers from other provinces at the National Chess Championships in Montreal this summer.

Model UN in NYC

NYC_MUn_2014069XOn March 4th, at 4:30am, 21 girls, Ms. Seymour, Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Abt gathered at YVR ready to head to NYC!  Despite the lack of sleep, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Thoughts of shopping along Fifth Ave, visiting the sights, committee sessions, resolution papers and representing Spain at the National High School Model United Nations Conference were on everyone’s mind.

1896884_832426960107476_1284959668_nWhen the plane touched down at LaGuardia airport, we were all ready. Armed with debit cards, credit cards, background guides and position papers, we were prepared to take on NYC. Upon arriving to the Hilton Midtown, our home for the next few days, we all rushed to our rooms to create the ultimate game plan for our trip. With the challenge of fitting in all of our responsibilities in just six days, we were eager to start our adventure.

1902951_830803690269803_2081338833_nThe following day, after visiting the famed sights of Central Park, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center, the conference began. We all went into our committees ready for the sessions ahead of us. Over the next few days, we all juggled our committee sessions, squeezing in activities during free time and getting to bed at a decent time.

NYC_MUn_2014007XIn the conference, we were all active participants voicing Spain’s opinions on the matters and writing resolution papers with allied countries. Outside the conference, we visited MOMA, the Frick, the Brooklyn Bridge, Madison and Fifth Ave, and the 9/11 Memorial. A particular highlight of the trip was attending the closing ceremonies at the UN and sitting in the conference room where real delegates representing the countries would meet.

The trip was definitely one to remember and a great bonding experience for all of us before we part our ways as we head off for university. Thank you to Mr. Abt for organizing such an amazing trip and to the chaperones for keeping us safe!

Vanessa, Gr. 12