We are writing to inform you that the Thomas Edison Chess Team is on the road again! We are headed to Atlanta, GA to compete for the National Middle School Chess Championship. With your support, our students have won first place at the National Chess Championship in 2014, 2016 and 2018. The pandemic prevented safe travel to most tournaments for a few years, but we returned last year and placed 13th at the High School Chess Championship. Yes, a team of 2nd through 8th graders defeated most of the high school chess teams in the nation! Our students come from some of the most struggling communities in Delaware but at Edison we provide a safe, challenging, and joyful environment for them. Many of the chess students you have supported over the years, are now attending colleges such as Cornell, UVA, University of Delaware, N.C. State PhD program, Cheyney University, Delaware State, Wilmington University, Lincoln University, and so many others.

There are over 300 students in our school who play chess during the school day at breakfast, in the lunchroom and in our after-school program. Your support is reaching a large number of children. In May, we will be taking 15 students to the Middle School National Chess Championship in Atlanta, GA. Our students are very excited about competing again in the Nationals this year, which will take place from May 10th to May 12th in Atlanta. In order to provide each student on the team an opportunity to travel to Atlanta for 5 days, we will need your help. The cost, including airfare, hotel, meals, and tournament fees for fifteen students, will be approximately $15,000 ($1000 per student). Students in the inner-city rarely have the opportunity to travel, but with your support they can be exposed to many wonderful and diverse experiences.