Unit 143 Awards First-Ever

Scholarships to

Youth Bridge Campers

Rieley and Brandon Fitzgerald

Our youth bridge camp scholarship winners, Rieley and Brandon Fitzgerald, had amazing time at bridge youth camp led by Chris Shaw, Education director for District 8, his wife Mary Lattan Shaw, and a group of volunteer counselors and instructors, like Mike Huston from Joplin.   From our Unit, Phyllis Siegel taught and George Marvin was the table coach for the 20 beginners for the week. Jay Shah were table coach for a day, while Steve Reiss and Amy Stabenow served as camp registrars for the second year.  Steve was also a counselor and Amy was an invaluable aide, part-time first-aid person, and table coach. 

Brandon is so excited to have beaten his brother, Rieley, at something in the tournament and total master points won that week.   They both have been playing online daily since returning home.  They hope to drive to our area and play in a Wednesday evening duplicate game at Lake St. Louis in late August.  They are already talking about camp next year and have started a weekly savings account for it. 

We want Unit members to know how much the Fitzgerald family appreciated the scholarships.  “This scholarship was so unexpected and such a huge blessing for our family,” says the boys’ mother. “I'm not quite sure how to even thank everyone for this opportunity for my boys. How do I say thank you for giving my boys something they needed that I couldn't give them?” 

The boys learned about the Unit’s bridge camp scholarship opportunity through their grandfather, Bill Maack.   He got a phone call from Brandon upon his return last weekend, bubbling over with enthusiasm and telling of his 2+ masterpoint award at the tournament; Reiley won 0.4 silver points. Bill and his partner Ralph Britton have represented District 8 in both the Reno and Memphis North American Pairs.

This is the fourth year for this camp, the first residential Youth Bridge Camp in the country for entering 6th through 10th grades in the fall of 2012. This year there were 49 campers.  The six-day, five night residential camp was held at Lake Williamson Christian Center from June 24-30.  Campers were divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced bridge classes for daytime instruction.

The campers covering the full spectrum from kids who'd never played to those who are already well on their way to bridge stardom!   The kids played several tournaments, including a full day Swiss event, and every camper came away with some silver MPs!

The Board awarded two scholarships to children or grandchildren of Unit 143 members who were eligible to attend the youth bridge camp held in Carlinville, IL.