Distinguished Finalist honors at state go to Chen, FHS senior

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism, recently recognized Forest Chen, a Farragut High School senior, as one of six Tennessee students earning Distinguished Finalists honors for their impressive

community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

Chen, 17, founded and runs the “East Tennessee Chess Club,” through which he holds regular tournaments, gives free chess lessons to young people at a local church and has raised and donated more than $8,000 to benefit various causes.

With his club now having more than 100 members, Chen was inspired to start this initiative because of the lack of chess-related opportunities in his community.