South Plains Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Board of Directors created a mini-grant program to help local teachers fund classroom projects or educational field trips.

A teacher mini-grant recipient, Ed Cooper, is an educator at Trinity Christian Middle School and the leader of the chess club, The Lion’s Gambit. Proceeds from the grant were utilized to purchase ten tournament-quality chess sets.

The chess sets are used by the students to better prepare them when participating in competitive and tournament play.

Not only will the grant fund additional chess sets, it will enhance students' academic performance and the reinforcement of critical thinking skills.