Merrill High School held two chess tournaments this year and ended the season with a grand finale between the first semester tournament champion, sophomore Alex Stone, and the second semester tournament champion, freshman Ethan Florez. Alex Stone won the match and earned the title of 2017-2018 Chess Grand Champion.
Fifty-two students from all grade levels participated in the first semester tournament and 65 students participated in the second semester tournament. Students ranging from playing chess their whole lives to student who had never played before participated. The tournaments started out as double elimination and by pairing people of like experience levels to give everyone a shot at learning.
This tournament was organized by MHS Library Technology Specialist Nathan Hanson.