Senator Hassan Recognizes Emelia Ajavon of Grantham as June’s Granite Stater of the Month

Senator Hassan Recognizes Emelia Ajavon of Grantham as June's Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Emelia Ajavon of Grantham as June's Granite Stater of the Month for founding the Chess Club 4 Kids in New Hampshire's Upper Valley.

At just nine years old, Emelia created the Chess Club 4 Kids, which has helped bring students together from multiple communities to learn chess skills and form lasting friendships. Working with her local community, she created this welcoming space for students of all skill levels to develop their strategic thinking and build confidence. What began as a small effort has grown into an extraordinary program that regularly welcomes dozens of students and has connected more than 100 families across the Upper Valley.

As she now prepares for high school, she is mentoring younger students and helping transition leadership so that the program can continue. Senator Hassan recognized her as June's Granite Stater of the Month because of her leadership and dedication to strengthening her community at such a young age.

Senator Hassan launched the "Granite Stater of the Month" initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a "Granite Stater of the Month," constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan's statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Emelia Ajavon of Grantham as June's Granite Stater of the Month for creating the Chess Club 4 Kids in New Hampshire's Upper Valley.

After developing a love of mathematics and strategy at just nine years old, Emelia attended a local chess club and discovered that there were few opportunities for kids her age to learn and play chess with their peers. Emelia, in true Granite State spirit, rolled up her sleeves and established the Chess Club 4 Kids at the Howe Library in Hanover.

Working with library staff, local schools, and community members, Emelia helped transform a simple idea into a thriving program. What began with just four participants has grown into a vibrant community that now welcomes an average 20 to 30 students each meeting and has served more than 100 families throughout the Upper Valley.

Through Chess Club 4 Kids, students from multiple communities across New Hampshire come together to learn, compete, and build friendships. By creating separate learning opportunities for beginners and more experienced players, Emelia's club ensures that every participant feels welcomed, challenged, and supported. For many students, Emelia's club has become a place not only to strengthen critical thinking and strategic skills, but also to find a sense of belonging among peers who share similar interests.

As Emelia prepares to enter high school, she is already working to pass leadership of her club to younger students so it can continue to thrive for years to come. Her commitment to ensuring the Chess Club 4 Kids endures reflects the same vision and dedication that inspired its creation. Emelia's initiative and generosity embody the very best of the New Hampshire, which is why I am proud to name her June's Granite Stater of the Month.

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