Every elementary school student I taught chess is special to me. While teaching at Public School 78 I hit a special milestone. I reached 500 elementary students in a school setting.
I attended their graduation and they broke my heart by surprising me with a cardboard poster with cards. They communicated how grateful they were for the work I did with them. I helped them control their behavior and increase their focus.
Some students even said they wanted to be a chess instructor!
Their program is one of a kind! Their just not a chess program, they are angels for those in the community. Me, my husband and sister met Mr. Romeo over 10 years ago on the park bench teaching kids chess. We came to play tennis and basketball in the park. My husband was curious and seen about fifteen kids surrounding one man. He wanted to know what was happening, so he went over there and seen them playing chess. He was amazed that one person got the attention of all those kids at once and how attentive they was. As he was talking my husband called our two sons and daughter over and our niece. The rest was history. We’ve been attending his free events since then. His staff his a mirror image of himself, it shows that he’s a good mentor and role model. Two of our children have graduated from college and the other is graduating from H.S. this year. His program a part getting them there. What never did understand is that a program like his never get any financial from the politicians in his area. When ask, he just said I can’t expect them to do what’s not in their heart, and he just left it like that, and I said no more.
This man and his staff are a blessing to our community. He’s always there when you need him.
