HFEE Awards Grant for HHS Library Chess Tables

The chess tables in the Huntington High School library got a real workout in the final months of the school year. Ever since the Huntington Foundation awarded a grant to librarian Patricia Dillon to purchase the items, students have been flocking to the board game.

“They are a big hit and the kids are so generous teaching each other,” Mrs. Dillon said. “We almost have to have a reserve list for the time. It is bringing other kids in who I have not seen. Some kids come in after school just to play, which is a good thing.”

Mrs. Dillon applied for the mini-grant after she noticed the popularity of the chess tables at the Huntington Public Library. “Students often come to the library during study halls,” the veteran educator said. “They are busy doing assignments for class using the textbooks the library provides and using the computers for research or other assignments. Sometimes our students come in just to be with their friends and relax. We have provided both chess and checkers games in addition to Scrabble.”

Before the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education awarded the grant for the permanent tables, Mrs. Dillon said that students wore out the portable boards she was using. There was also a seating issue, considering the heavy daily library attendance.

“We have students that come to the library after school who are waiting for sports practices or game to begin or for driver’s ed,” Mrs. Dillon said. “After the homework is done, students have something challenging and fun to occupy their time.”

Mrs. Dillon is a strong proponent of chess, believing that “several benefits” are derived from playing it, including learning about the importance of planning. The librarian points to a 1983 Oregon City study about why chess belongs in schools that concluded “chess requires that reason be coordinated with instinct [intuition]; it is an effective decision teaching activity.”

Once the Huntington Foundation approved the grant, the tables were ordered and arrived a short time later. “The students are now able to use their time in a more challenging manner,” Mrs. Dillon said. “The tables enable us to offer a more organized approach to the free time students spend in the library.”

Mrs. Dillon said “it is believed that there is a correlation between playing chess and math skills development. It offers an opportunity for critical thinking and problem solving.”

Not a school day has passed since the chess tables arrived that Huntington High School students haven’t played at them for hours. “The students have another opportunity for socialization with a friendly competition,” Mrs. Dillon said.