by Jose I. Serpas

Patterson High School had the honor of welcoming a very special guest on January 9 when Rochelle Ballantyne, a nationally recognized chess player, lawyer, speaker, and advocate for inclusion, paid the school a visit. The event was hosted by the Patterson Chess Team and co-sponsored by the Baltimore Kids Chess League, and it became an unforgettable experience for students from Patterson and across the city.

Rochelle Ballantyne is known not only for her success in chess, but also for her powerful story. She won a high school chess championship while still in middle school, later becoming one of the stars of the award-winning documentary Brooklyn Castle (2012). The film followed five students from a junior high school chess team in Brooklyn and showed how, despite coming from low-income communities, they won more national championships than any other school in the country. Through chess, Rochelle showed how education, discipline, and opportunity can change lives.

During her visit, Ballantyne gave an inspiring TED-style talk where she shared her personal journey. She spoke honestly about her wins and losses, and how chess helped her grow–not just as a player, but as a person. She explained that Brooklyn Castle was about more than personal success—it highlighted bigger issues in the education system and the importance of investing in young people. Ballantyne emphasized that chess gave her a voice, one she does not take for granted, and allowed her to inspire students in communities like ours.

One of the most powerful messages from her speech was about leadership and perspective. Ballantyne explained that chess teaches you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Every piece has value, just like every person has a story worth hearing. She shared how this mindset shaped her into a better lawyer, listener, and advocate. According to Ballantyne, real leadership is not just about making the right move, but about listening, adapting, and understanding the whole board—both in chess and in life.

After her talk, Ballantyne played against 45 students, taking on 20 opponents at a time, which amazed everyone watching. She did not lose a single match. However, due to her tight schedule and the need to catch her train, she offered draws to Nathan Hernandez, Dominic Robinson, and Brandon Lopez. Special recognition was also given to Kaniya Gardner and Josseling Cadena for their outstanding performance. Many students said they felt inspired and motivated by the experience.

I had the opportunity to interview Rochelle Ballantyne during her visit. When I asked her about her time in college, she shared that it was difficult at first because it was her first time away from home and the academic work was much harder. However, she said college opened her eyes to a new world and helped her discover who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do in the future.

When asked about the biggest challenges she faced, Ballantyne spoke about growing up in a low-income household and helping support her family. She emphasized the importance of community, family, and having people who believe in you. She shared that her mother and grandmother were the first people to truly believe in her and push her to achieve her goals, something she said she will always be grateful for.

Reflecting on Brooklyn Castle, Ballantyne explained that she did not feel pressure during filming because she was very young at the time, but she is proud of the impact the movie had. She believes it helped show how important education is and why it deserves more support. When asked what she would tell her younger self, Ballantyne answered simply but powerfully: “Keep going.” She reminded students that even when things are uncomfortable or painful, there is something brighter on the other side.

The event was truly a team effort, and special thanks go to the Patterson Chess Team members, including Nelson, Amori, Donavan, Devin, Steven, Jaisdel, Jordon, Libny, Rubi, and Roman, who helped make this event possible. Ballantyne herself praised our school, saying, “I was really impressed with Patterson. They are really building something special here.”

Rochelle Ballantyne’s visit was more than a chess event—it was a lesson about perseverance, leadership, and believing in yourself. For many students, including myself, her story was a reminder that no matter where you come from, with determination, support, and vision, you can change your future.