Since 2018, over 8,600 high schools across the U.S. have started to participate in electronic sports (esports), according to a study by the National Education Association. In high school esports, students compete in video games like Valorant, League of Legends and Rocket League. 

     Penn-Trafford High School is no stranger to this trend as it has been offering a class called “Evolution of Games” since 2012; the course was changed to the current title of esports in 2022. Despite not being a traditional core class, many students and some teachers would argue that it is important to a student’s growth and development.

     “The communication and the teamwork around here is just great,” stated P-T teacher John Carlisle, who is the director of the esports program, or better known by his team as “The Chief.”  “You also have to remember not every student plays a traditional sport, so this gives students who are not on a soccer or baseball field an opportunity to compete while also feeling like they belong somewhere, which I feel is incredible.”

     The Esports class currently has about 100 students, and then there is also a team that goes around and plays against other schools in different tournaments as a competing club team. The class has its own room, connected by glass doors to the Media Center, and has 25 spots all with individual computers and chairs. In addition, Carlisle is also working on another room in the back corner of the Media Center that will be called the “War Room.”

     The new room is going to be used for streaming, content creation and podcasts. It is planned to open in a few weeks once all the equipment comes in. There are many different types of jobs available in the video game industry like content creators, and Carlisle said this room will help students prepare if they want to go into this field. 

     “I want kids to be able to become podcasters and streamers and learn how to do that because that is a really big part of esports,”  stated Carlisle. “I really want to work on the room because I feel like it will bring a lot of good to the program. If you are not a professional gamer there are not many options for you as far as competing goes, but there are a ton of jobs available for streaming and creating content, and that room will allow us to do that.”

     The team, which has 13 members, competes in tournaments throughout the year with their main season being from February to May. The tournaments are held in many places throughout the state like Robert Morris University, and some offer scholarships to the competitors. The competitions are good for students as a chance to meet and compete against video game players like themselves.

     “My favorite part of the competitions is probably all the different people you meet from around the state area,” stated junior and second-year competitor Cooper Pellman.

     Even if you are not interested in playing on a competition team or you are just starting to play video games it is still a good class to take to get familiar with the games and to hang out with friends.

     Senior Keith Otto stated, “I enjoy just playing with my friends. Some games we are good at, and some we are not, but we get through it together. I would absolutely recommend this class to other people.”

Mia Williams, Business Manager