Orrin Hudson takes K.A.S.H. to Jersey!
Former State Trooper and Presiding Superior Court Judge Join to Inspire Youth to ‘Be Someone’
“ChessFest” is coming! This unique September Lakewood event, according to organizers, will inspire young people to think ahead, plan, execute and utilize the components of chess to sharpen the mind and motivate them to become someone special.
One of the driving forces behind the special event is former Alabama State Trooper Orrin Hudson, who is the founder of “Be Someone,” a Stone Mountain, Georgia-based non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. Hudson says “the program teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess.”
“I have teamed up with presiding New Jersey Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels who too often sees the destruction of many young lives,” says Hudson. He explains that Daniels has a similar background when it comes to his love of chess and using it to teach life lessons to young people, many whom are at risk of making last wrong decisions.
“We will not only teach them to play chess but we will teach them that the principles that make a successful chess player – primarily there is a consequence for every decision – plan and strategize and make the right moves for success, even in the game of life.”
Chessfest will be held September 29th, starting at noon to 4.p.m. at Calvary Lighthouse 1133 E County Line Road Lakewood, NJ 08701 and is open to youth under 18. There will be a variety of sessions throughout the afternoon designed for beginners and intermediate players. “We will not only teach them to play chess but we will teach them that the principles that make a successful chess player – primarily there is a consequence for every decision – plan and strategize and make the right moves for success, even in the game of life,” Hudson stresses.
Judge Wendel Daniels has been teaching chess since 1978 and is a United States Chess Federation certified coach. He was the first African American Judge in Ocean County’s history. He consistently is a guest speaker at and is involved in numerous youth efforts.
Judge Wendel Daniels
Photo by Digital Collections/IPTC.
Hudson calls Judge Daniels a “role model for youth and adults alike.” He explains, “We met and right away I saw we shared the same passion to positively impact our youth to help them reach their full potential and we both love chess and see how it can be used to teach life lessons.”
Judge Daniels says, “Every move you make in life has consequences, just as your move on the chess board does.” He adds, “I believe people can use whatever talent they have to help our youth and help people in general, so I share the phrase, ‘Use what is in your hands.’ This means, use whatever you can share to touch another life.” In this instance “what is in his hand” are the strategies and skills in the game of chess.
Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson explains that at the age of 15 he was destined for a life of crime and social welfare. However, a teacher introduced him to the chess board and his life was transformed. Since leaving his full time state trooper’s position in 1992, he has touched numerous young lives; turning many around. As he says, he has been “relentless” in his pursuit of reaching more and more young people in an effort to repay a simple kindness that changed him.
He has several catch phrases you hear in his programs. Whether it is “Think it out, Don’t shoot it out,” or “K.A.S.H” which stands for “Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, Habits,” these are tools to deposit positive forward thinking into the lives of those whom he encounters. Hudson has been traveling all over the world to teach of one million kids chess – a personal goal – and has been featured on CNN, CBS Early Morning Show, Good Morning America and numerous television programs.
Pastor Wesley Lindquist, senior Pastor at Calvary, says his church is happy and excited about hosting the event. “Our youth in Lakewood and across the state in New Jersey are in desperate need of people and resources to support them. We are thankful for those who will lay a positive pathway for our youth to be what they are called to be.” He continues, “These gentlemen are extraordinary, filled with expertise, enthusiastic for the game of chess, and even more so, to see lives, young lives, inspired and changed.”
Chessfest will be held September 29th, starting at noon to 4.p.m. at Calvary Lighthouse 1133 E County Line Road Lakewood, NJ 08701 and is open to youth under 18.
For more event information including registration information visit www.CalvaryLighthouse.org. Also see article in Asbury Park Press.
Orrin Checkmate Hudson, Speaker & Master Strategist & Motivator
949 Stephenson Road
Stone Mountain, GA
30087, Tel: 770-465-6445
E-mail: Orrin@besomeone.org
Website: www.besomeone.org
Chess moves for life – Chess champion Orrin Hudson wants to change the world one move at a time with students. CNN’s Randi Kaye reports.