Kids Have Fun, Win Masterpoints at Unit 131 Sectional
The 2011 student bridge scholarship competition was held as a part of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Unit 131 Sectional Tournament held at the firefighters Hall at 6320 Manchester Avenue in Kansas City on Friday, April 29. This is the fifth year the unit has sponsored this event. Unit 131 paid to bus the students from the Lee’s Summit School District so that they could play in the sectional; they could see what it was like as the adults played in another section of the tournament, starting just 1 hour after the kids; and perhaps most importantly the adults could see them play and encourage them to continue.
There were 9 tables of four students each, ranging from 4th grade through 10th grade, in play. All were either current or former students of Kathy Rolfe who has been teaching bridge in various school settings but primarily within the Lee’s Summit School District since 2002. She has taught primarily in the ASPIRE (4th-6th grade gifted and talented) classes. 12 boards, with 2 boards per round, in a standard Mitchell movement were played. The session was directed by Kathy Rolfe and by ACBL tournament director Chris Patrias, who was also busy running the adult sections of bridge.
For the first time ever, there was a tie this year. At the end of the afternoon the top East-West pair (1st overall) and the two tied for top North-South pairs (2nd overall) won not only their silver masterpoints, but also a trophy provided by Unit 131. The players finishing first overall, Alex Wood and Mackenzie Hill 6th graders from Cedar Creek Elementary School, also received a $50 scholarship to be used for their post-secondary education. The two pairs finishing 2nd overall, first in their North-South direction, were Brittany James (10th grader) and Austin Buchanan (9th grader) from Lee’s Summit West High School, and Kate C. (7th grader) and Michael C. (5th grader) from the Seton Home School. They each received a $25 scholarship. The scholarships are funded from the Eugene J. Rolfe Memorial Education Fund administered by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. In addition to the top places, five other pairs also played well enough to earn silver masterpoints.
Eleven of the students joined ACBL this year and seven of the students had previously joined ACBL when they played in previous Scholarship Tournaments. This is important because it is one step they need to take in order to be eligible to win an additional scholarship given to a graduating senior. Any graduating senior who has the required 3.0 grade point average, is a member of ACBL, has at least 1 masterpoint, and is a former student of Kathy Rolfe is eligible to win a $500 scholarship which in turn is renewable for another 3 years if the student maintains their GPA and continues to add to their masterpoints each year while retaining ACBL membership.
Alex Wood/Mackenzie Hill - .98 mps - 6th gr. - Cedar Creek Elem.
Michael / Kate - .65 mps - 5th / 7th gr. - Seton Home School
Brittany James / Austin Buchanan - .65 mps - 10th / 9th gr. - LS West HS
Dawson Sims / Jack Pfetcher - .41 mps - 6th grade - Sunset Valley Elem.
Daniel Schnelle / Jessi Watkins - .31 mps - 6th / 5th grade - Cedar Creek Elem.
Dria Mesz / Jake B. - .34 mps - 4th gr. - Sunset Valley Elem.
Emily Hirsch / Madeline Stouffer - .25 mps - 6th grade - Sunset Valley Elem.
Dimitry Lash / Robin Poudel - .17 mps - 6th grade - Summit Pointe Elem.
