This year, Chapman has started a chess club, which is led by Media Specialist Amy Ballentine.

Ballentine grew up playing chess and knows it can benefit the students.

“I love chess personally,” she said. “I grew up playing it, and my mother who was a teacher ran a chess club in her school, and there is so much research that shows it increases focus and being able to move three, four steps ahead. It’s important when anyone can stop and focus for a long period of time.”

Another perk for Ballentine is that a thriving chess club means the media center is being used in a unique way.

“I like our space to be used,” she said. “I think I was looking for what we could do to provide our students with something that didn’t use technology in any way.”

Chess club is a way students can interact with one another in an environment that’s both personal and competitive.

Freshman Vivian Lee, who has participated in chess club, said she enjoys the competitive aspect.

“One thing I enjoyed about chess club was beating my opponent to a pulp,” Lee said.

Lee and Ballentine both want to continue the chess club for the next school year.

“Yes (I want it to continue), because I get to beat more people and learn more about the game,” Lee said.

Ballentine said she has worked to increase engagement.

“We are doing tournaments now to give it more of a point to make it worth the weekly turnout,” Ballentine said.

Students who are interested in participating should contact Ballentine in the media center.