The rise of online sports and esports has changed the way people watch and play games. Esports are competitive video game tournaments, with many professional players competing in popular and well-known titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, etc. Millions of people watch these live-streamed events, which bring in money from ticket sales, sponsors, and advertisements. With games now being live-streamed online and at an all time high with viewership, it gives the fans new ways to watch and engage with certain video games. This pattern demonstrates how technology is changing sports in the future, both virtual and real-world. Here at Mark Keppel High School, an inspiring group of students who are impressive gamers have put their skills on the line to win the big prize: representing their respective school.
Mr. Hong is one of the overseers for Mark Keppel High School’s esports team, and his main goal is to establish the first CIF e-sports team at the school and in the area, making it the first official team of its kind. Mr. Hong recognized that the club is still in its early stages. He stated, “This club is at its birth stage about 7 years ago. It was just a club, but each year it ‘birthed’ a little bit. New ideas come every year,” which was very interesting since the esports team is in such a good place. I asked about how his students will balance their school life and esports participation. It is unclear how students would manage their time, but he feels it should be balanced like any other sport. This brings up the topic of how students will balance both academics and esports. Additionally, he disclosed that the team drew inspiration from a club that was founded seven years prior, with fresh concepts emerging this year. The team has expanded tremendously this year because Mr. Martinez, a second advisor, joined to aid in the team’s growth. Students currently take part in club activities, not just at school but at home as well. In the future, he hopes to hold frequent competitions and, should the team receive CIF sanction, acquire a special training facility or classroom. Though the school has prohibited shooting games, the club also holds trials in an effort to draw in new members and keep the ones it already has. The ultimate goal is to create a competitive CIF esports team by spring.
Jasmine Kan, a 12th grade student at Mark Keppel high school, the president of the team, is eager to incorporate first-person shooter (FPS) games and other popular titles into the club’s offerings while expanding its audience. Despite the district’s prohibition on games like Fortnite and Valorant, she has taken to playing these titles secretly. Determined to change the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) stance, Jasmine faces significant time constraints and struggles with time management, often cramming all her responsibilities into a single day. Having previously played Overwatch semi-competitively in middle school, she now engages with Rocket League and League of Legends, and outside of school, Valorant and Fortnite, with aspirations to introduce more Nintendo games in the future. To elevate the club’s profile, she plans to connect with friends and leverage media outlets aiming to foster a vibrant eSports community within her school.
