Elmore Stoutt High School Claims Top Honours
After two days of intense competition on 12–13 December at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Elmore Stoutt High School emerged as the overall champion of the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament, taking first place in both Junior and Senior divisions and sweeping the top player rankings. Organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports as part of its Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead initiative, the tournament featured eight schools and included a Primary Division with Isaiah Smith of St. George’s Primary School winning top honours.
The Territory’s young strategists took centre stage this weekend as the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament opened on Friday, 12 December and concluded on Saturday, 13 December at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, the two-day event brought together students from across the Virgin Islands to compete in Junior and Senior divisions and to showcase discipline, critical thinking and sportsmanship (Ministry press release; Guavaberry).
Eight schools contested the competition: Cedar International School, Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Elmore Stoutt High School, St George’s Secondary School, Imagination Academy VI, Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, Ciboney School of Excellence and Bregado Flax Educational Centre, with weeks of preparation evident in the quality of play (BVI Government release).
Elmore Stoutt High School entered as defending champions and solidified their standing over the weekend, emerging as overall champions after winning both the Junior and Senior Divisions and claiming the top player rankings in each category — a clean sweep organisers said reflected strong preparation, teamwork and strategic excellence (BVI Government; Guavaberry).
In the Senior Secondary Division, Elmore Stoutt’s Shamoy Joseph finished first, followed by teammates Dimitri Fungfook and Raheim Hodge, according to the Government release and local reports. The Junior Secondary Division mirrored that success: Israel Profit of Elmore Stoutt secured the top junior position, with Tiandra Scatliffe and Navin Donovan completing the top three for the school (BVI Government; Guavaberry).
Other schools produced noteworthy performances. Bregado Flax Educational Centre placed second in the Senior Division and third in the Junior Division, while St. George’s Secondary School finished third in the Senior Division and second in the Junior Division, the Government noted.
The tournament also included a Primary Division: top honours went to Isaiah Smith of St. George’s Primary School, with Kalon Christopher of Agape Total Life Academy placing second and Timoi Scatliffe of St. George’s Primary School third (BVI Government; Guavaberry). Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, congratulated all participants and underlined the wider value of chess. "Chess challenges our students to think strategically, remain disciplined under pressure, and approach problems with confidence and clarity," she said in remarks published by the Ministry, adding that these skills support learning across subjects and life beyond the classroom (Ministry press release).
Education Officer for Science and Physical Education Mrs. Renee Weston-Caines commended the students’ dedication and the high quality of play, and the Ministry thanked coaches, volunteers, judges and school administrators who ensured the smooth running of the event. The Government also recognised partners including Exness — whose donation provided monetary awards for the first time — and the BVI Chess Federation for their continued support (BVI Government; Guavaberry).
Organisers encouraged residents to follow local media and school channels for full results and highlights, and said they look forward to building on this momentum to grow participation and strengthen S.T.E.A.M. learning through chess in future tournaments (Ministry press release).
Primary source: VINO