Holiday Pizza Party, Individual Game & New Life Master Celebration

While official SiVY activities paused during the pandemic, a group of former SiVY players led by Michael Xu and Amber Lin continued to host a bi-annual holiday party and individual game in December of 2022 and July of 2023 at the Palo Alto Bridge Center. This party is now an official staple of SiVY!

The Winter Holiday Party & Individual Game was held on Saturday, December 23rd. There were 16 junior and young adult players from ages 8 to 26 who participated in the holiday individual tournament, directed by Will Watson and Kai Eckert. Volunteers including Debbie Rosenberg, Kevin Rosenberg, Amber Lin, Serena Guo, and Max Schireson helped out with everything from pizza and snacks to reviewing hands with players after the game.

Thank you to everyone who attended, our volunteers, and our organizers!

Elijah Schacter placed first in Flights A, B, and C with an incredible 79% game! We additionally awarded prizes to the next highest ranking players in Flights B & C.

  • 1st Overall = Elijah Schacter (79%)
  • Next Winner in Flight C = Michael Hoagland (59%)
  • Next Winner in Flight B = Kyra Helmbold (51%)

Elijah and Kyra joined SiVY many years ago and are now both in college. Michael is a new SiVY regular, and is in 9th grade at Summit High School. Kyra and another attendee, Anna Marchant, actually attended the first SiVY Pizza Party in May 2023.

We also had several players experience their first tournament: Beatriz Aldana (8th grade) and Joseph Hoagland (5th grade)! Both Beatriz and Joseph started learning bridge at Casual Fridays for several weeks before the Pizza Party.

We also held a new Life Master celebration after the game for all SiVY players who had achieved Life Master since the start of the pandemic. These players include: Amber Lin, Andrew Chen, Brian Zhang, Brandon Ge, Charlie Chen, Michael Xu, Stella Wan, & Kayden Ge!

Full Individual Game results | Photos

Our host, Michael Xu, kicks off the event with a rousing round of introductions
SiVY Founding President and world-class mentor Debbie Rosenberg
kibitzes a table that includes a mix of experienced and new players:
Kayden Ge (9th grade), Joseph Hoagland (5th grade), Carter Jacquette (college),
and Michael Xu (college)
Our winners: Elijah Schacter, Kyra Helmbold, and Michael Hoagland
Kyra Helmbold (left in pink) and Anna Marchant (right in blue, back turned)
at the first SiVY pizza party over 10 years ago on May 19, 2013
Our new lifemasters who attended: Amber Lin, Kayden Ge, Michael Xu, and Brandon Ge
Players and mentors review hands after the game