March 14, 2019 community B9 The High School View The High School View is staffed and prepared entirely by students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and published on their behalf by The Martha’s Vineyard Times, with the generous assistance of the sponsors whose names appear below. as a coach is more to bring a big role, and I know the excitement to their playing. I team benefits.” just love the game.” With one final postseason Chess club eyes final checkmate Coach McCarthy also match to wrap up an already credits his friend and fellow winning season for the team, BY MACKENZIE CONDON tion. As the season progress- played alternating home and passion. “I’m more of Islander, Jim Trish, with be- Coach McCarthy said, “Prac- es, the players of each posi- and away matches every an enthusiast, and there are ing an important mentor for tice during Friday flex blocks he Martha’s Vineyard tion become more consistent. Wednesday against South some kids on the team who the team. “He is an enthusi- doesn’t end after the competi- Regional High School “Fighting for board spots Coast Conference teams. “If T(MVRHS) chess team does create a competitive at- someone is a spring or fall will be playing for the South mosphere in practice that we athlete,” he said, “they can be Coast Conference Chess really look forward to,” said on the chess team in the win- Championship after amassing junior Vito Aiello. ter, because while we practice the most regular-season vic- Coach McCarthy listed all year long, the competition tories in the conference. The juniors Jaiden Edelman and comes in the winter.” team will play Nauset, whom Daniel Bonneau and senior Although he is a three- they tied once and beat once Aiden Nunes as the consis- season athlete, Daniel has in regular-season play, at 12 tent top three for the team. been one of a few consistent Daniel Bonneau pm this Saturday for the title. Senior Owen Bresnick, junior leaders for the team. “We re- moves his queen Coach Bill McCarthy has Peter Burke, and sophomore ally get better by just playing. during a Chess Club overseen the club for the past Ava Maggi have also been What I think makes chess practice during flex two years. He said, “We play important in securing wins special is definitely the intel- block on Friday. five chess boards in each from the fourth and fifth lectual aspect,” he said. match, and the success really board positions. “Chess offers a unique comes from the strong group “Ava has been really suc- opportunity for students of chess players we have fill- cessful for us lately in the fifth to engage in a sportlike ing those boards.” board, and to be able to de- atmosphere that is more de- Board positions are pend on that has been crucial pendent on having an intel- ranked, with the strongest in the later part of our sea- lectual edge,” agreed junior member playing the first son,” said Coach McCarthy. Vito Aiello. board. The level of success Mr. McCarthy described “I’m no chess master,” MACKENZIE CONDON each player has in practice the team’s competitive sched- said Coach McCarthy, who are better than me. I really ast of the game, like me, and tion season, because the kids and matchplay determines ule as similar to a winter believes his role in the team’s think that the kids get bet- comes to just about all of the really just love to play. That’s who plays what board posi- sport. This winter, they have success is mostly about spirit ter by playing, and my job practices,” he said. “He plays why it is year-round.” HSV tance of practicing debate in ence, and MVRHS students meetings. Allyse said, “Being were quick to acknowledge Debate preparation pays off for Model U.N. Club confident in representing the benefits of international your voice and opinion is re- perspective. BY EMMA SEARLE covered by MVRHS students of the Rohingya people from Guyther and Louise McDon- ally important.” “It was inspiring to see a in preparation for this year’s Myanmar, and combating ald have worked on making Another important aspect bunch of students my age ach year, the Model Unit- conference included the terrorism in Southeast Asia. the club more interactive this of preparation is research. Al- from around the globe debat- ed Nations (Model U.N.) Lebanese civil war, the exile Senior co-presidents Allyse year, emphasizing the impor- lyse said, “Everyone [in New ing and conversing,” said J.P. Eclub at the Martha’s Vine- York] has researched every- “I met students from Chile, yard Regional High School thing to the fine-tuned detail.” Mexico, and Venezuela this (MVRHS) travels to New Because MVRHS does year,” said junior Chloe Hoff. York City for the annual Na- not have a Model U.N. “You get to see an outside vi- tional High School Model course elective like some sion of how America is seen, United Nations Conference, other schools that attend the which is interesting. Also, it where students from around conference, members are en- was cool to see that [interna- the globe convene to debate couraged to work outside the tional students] speak Eng- and discuss topics such as ter- weekly meetings in order to lish so fluently.” rorism, world health, bank- maximize preparation. While many members felt ing, and national resources, Senior J.P. Alves is a two- prepared to expand, share, simulating the processes of year member of the Model and debate their perspec- the actual United Nations. U.N. club. He said, “I felt more tives at the conference, club Students in Model U.N. prepared and motivated this leaders still have goals to im- meet every Monday begin- year after having practiced prove their intellectual ex- ning in October to prepare debate more often throughout perience. “The club still has for the conference. After the year. I felt more comfort- a lot of room to grow,” said being assigned a country, Members of the MVRHS able bringing up my points Allyse. “But the four days at students pick a partner, a Model U.N. club gather for and perspectives.” Model U.N. were incredibly committee, and topics to a grouo photo. This year, more than 5,000 educational, and every year research and write about for Change address! 151 Lagoon Pond students from over 75 coun- we make strides in the right Road, Vineyard Haven HSV their position papers. Topics CYNTHIA WESTBV tries attended the confer- direction.” E C: Alexis Condon, Mackenzie Condon, Henry Hitchings • A E I C: Addy Hayman, Emma Searle, Spencer Pogue • A E: Astoria Hall P E: Colin Henke • M A: Astoria Hall • F A: Kate Hennigan George A. SUPPORT VINEYARD Santos, Jr. O.D. AUTO Adult & Children THE HIGH SCHOOL Exploring Island Vision Care, SCHOOL Vision Therapy VIEW History Contact Lenses Get recognition for 508-696-3748 your public support 638 Main St., Vineyard Haven VINEYARDAUTO 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven To advertise: SCHOOL.COM 508-627-4441 www.mvmuseum.org 508-693-7222 Call 508-693-6100 • Press 2 HN KEEN JOEXCAVATION E Mon.–Fri., 7:30am–5pm • Sat., 8am–12noon • Old Stage Road, across from Takemmy Farm in West Tisbury • 508-693-5975 or 508-693-0025.