Resolution 130361

..Title Congratulating and Honoring the Julia R. Masterman Middle School Chess Team on winning the 2013 United States Chess Federation's Kindergarten-Through- 8th Grade National Championship. ..Body WHEREAS, Julia R. Masterman School has a longstanding championship chess tradition, winning 10 National Titles since 1991; and WHEREAS, On April 5 through the 7th, Masterman's Middle School Chess Team participated in the United States Chess Federation's quadrennial Super National Tournament held in Nashville, Tennessee; and WHEREAS, Masterman's Chess Team triumphed over more than 5,000 other students from 49 States to win the Kindergarten-Through-Eighth Grade National Championship; and WHEREAS, The team, led by Coach Stephen Shutt, a retired teacher, and Assistant Coach Gregory Shahade, a Masterman Alum and professional chess player, consist of 8th graders Alexander Wlezien, Shira Moolten, and Alejandro Budejen-Jerez, 7th graders Angel Joshi Hernandez-Camen and Srisa Changolar, 6th grader Nalin Khanna, and 5th grader Torin Kuehnle; and WHEREAS, Alexander Wlezien was undefeated in the tournament with 5 wins and 2 draws, placing 2nd in the tournament individually and is also the Pennsylvania State Middle School Champion; and WHEREAS, Angel Joshi Hernandez-Camen and Nalin Khanna finished tied for 20th place respectively in the individual tournament; and WHEREAS, The future of Masterman's Chess Team is likely to carry on its winning tradition with 5th grade students Hayden Keller, Manas Narula, Zak Kingsley and Yuva Gambhir finishing in 10th place respectively as a team in the Kindergarten-Through-9th Grade under 1250 rated division; now therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate and honor the Julia R. Masterman Middle School Chess Team for winning the 2013 United States Chess Federation's National Championship. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Julia R. Masterman Middle School Chess Team, further evidencing the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End