Ozzie Stone, Founder and CEO, is a decorated straight A student in high school and currently attends Hudson Catholic high school. Ozzie has business experience especially in the not-for-profit sector as a project manager at the Intrigue Agency. In addition, he has interned at Vanick Hudson and is the president of the Model UN and Mock Trial teams at his school. Ozzie’s favorite piece in chess is the rook for its ability to easily complicate the game and any moment.
Wilson Vasquez, Volunteer, is a student at Hudson Catholic high school. Wilson learned how to play chess from his father at the age of 6. Wilson became a part of Chess Dreams to give back, just like his dad taught him to. Wilson’s favorite piece in chess is the knight because no one ever sees it coming.
Danny Hermenez, Volunteer, is a college student who is in his freshman year of Rutgers University. Danny played in many tournaments when he was younger. He claims that he likes the challenge every game of chess gives him. Danny’s favorite piece is the queen because of its power.
Ebrima Manjang, Volunteer, is a student at Hudson Catholic. Ebrima started playing chess in 4th grade. He then joined his school chess club. In 7th grade Ebrima made his school’s chess team and has continued to play the game. He is also the official photographer for all Chess Dreams events. Ebrima’s favorite piece is the king because without it there would be no game of chess.
Maria Astudillo, Volunteer, is a foreign exchange student who became interested in Chess Dreams. She has helped the organization in many ways, most significantly through her contribution and work towards our Ecuadorian chapter. Without her, the students in Ecuador would not have received many helpful educational tools. Maria’s favorite piece is the knight because of its ability to jump over obstacles and barriers.
Fox Kavanagh, Volunteer, is a rising star in the chess world. He started playing from a very young age and always enjoyed the deep layers of strategy surrounding the very intuitive game. His favorite chess piece is the pawn because it is often underestimated.
Robert Devcich, Volunteer, is a senior in high school. Bobby has been playing Chess for the majority of his life, but still strives to improve his game by studying as many opening variations of Chess as he can. Bobby’s favorite piece is the pawn because it forms the openings of chess games.
Hector Astudillo, Volunteer, has an over 2000 rating! Hector competes in various tournaments and can beat many of his opponents in less than 15 moves. Hector also carries his high school Chess team through many competitions and loves teaching anyone how to play Chess. Hector’s favorite piece is the queen because it is the most powerful.
Jemare Meadows, Volunteer, has a passion for Chess unmatched by most people. He loves teaching the game and hopes one day everyone will know how to play chess. Jahmars favorite piece is the bishop because it is easily underestimated.
Ronald Stone, Board of directors, Ronald owns his own real estate development company. He asks all of his prospective employees if they know how to play chess. He says that if they can play chess he finds that they are usually better at solving difficult problems unlike the employees who do not know how to play chess. Ronald does not have a favorite piece because he sees every piece as equally valuable to the game.
Jonathan Rossman, Board of directors, Jonathan is an investment analyst who supports chess for all of its educational benefits. Jonathan’s favorite chess piece is the pawn for its ability to become any piece it wants to be when it reaches the end of the board.
Gina Bekendorf, Board of directors, Gina is a mom who has seen chess benefit her child in more ways than she could have possibly imagined. Gina’s favorite chess piece is the bishop because it can only attack from the side.