Green High School is making way for new forms of competition and collaboration. The brand new Esports club founded by Green High Schools seniors Tyler Worth and Carter Pine. Esports is defined as a specialized subset of gaming that centers around organized, competitive gameplay. It is more than just playing games; it is about mastery and competition. This club is open to new interests, and meets in room 137 every Monday and Friday after school at 2:45.
In high school, many students may feel left out of the loop,and feel they do not have a spot in a certain group. Esports is a club that may be very well-known to few people. Tyler Worth and Carter Pine collaborated with Steve Donnelly, quantitative reasoning and data science foundations teacher, to make this club happen.
“At Green High School, having an esports program offers students a chance to develop important skills like communication, leadership, and critical thinking. It also provides a sense of community and belonging for students who may not participate in other extracurricular activities, promoting a more inclusive school environment.” Worth said.
Esports is not a topic talked about enough; popular esports games span various genres and are completed using various popular games. Professional esports teams recruit top players from around the world. These players often have rigorous training schedules, and can earn substantial salaries, sponsorships, and streaming revenues. Worth wanted this esports group to bring a venue for many to connect and play.
“Green is also one of the few schools in our region that doesn’t have an esports program of any kind. We aim to foster both a community of gamers and a competitive spirit for those interested in the esports scene.” Worth continued.
Platforms like YouTube gaming and Twitch make it easy for fans to watch live esports events to follow their favorite players and teams. Most events attract millions of viewers.
“We noticed a growing interest in esports and gaming at our school and wanted to create a place where students could explore this passion in a supportive environment,” Worth said.
The esports industry has grown significantly over the past decade, with increasing investments from traditional sports teams and celebrities. It is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Carter Pine, the clubs president, expressed why this club came about.
“The club was meant to form a space for a growing group of students that did not previously have a school space for them, and to offer a starting point for an increasingly viable career path. It became more of an inevitability than anything that we would form the club,” Pine said.
Pine expressed that this club brought a safe place to students who did not believe they had one. Clubs in highschool are best for bringing students together when they need a place to be; however, there is not always a club for everyone, which is why Pine wanted to create this safe space.
Amiah King, Junior involved in Girls of Green, expressed the benefits of joining a club,
“I’m involved in Girls of Green and I feel like they are open, and it is easy to access if I need to talk to someone. Clubs can come to make a safer place for students, and be comforting for those who may feel left out in normal classes during their school day,” King said.
Ian Liebmann is a new part of the E-sports club, and enjoys the socialization of the group.
“We’re just here to let people play games they enjoy or possibly win tournaments, and play in bigger tournaments for money and stuff like that.I mostly just joined to play games with my friends” Liebmann Senior said.
Q&A
Carter Pine-
When did the club start?
“While the club had been in the works to some extent since the beginning of our high school days, it had only truly begun to gain traction at the tail end of last year, and has truly come to form this year, and has projected to only grow further.”
What do you do in this club?
“The club is meant to be a chill and welcoming space, welcoming people to play games together on an interactive level, regardless of it’s in a casual or competitive sense”
How did you come up with this club?
“The club was meant to form a space for a growing group of students that did not previously have a school space for them, and to offer a starting point for an increasingly viable career path. It became more of an inevitability than anything that we would form the club.”
Tyler Worth-
When did the club start? “We started organizing the club in early spring of 2024, with the goal of creating a safe and inclusive environment for students to enjoy gaming, whether they’re casual players or looking to compete.”
What do you do in the club? “Our club provides a space for students to relax and play games with friends, as well as for those interested in the competitive side of esports. We participate in various team-based games, Individual performance games, practice strategies, and prepare for upcoming tournaments. Additionally, we are building connections with the University of Akron’s esports program to explore more competitive opportunities.”
What day is this club held? “We meet every Monday and Friday after school at 2:00 PM in room 137”
How did you come up with this club? “We noticed a growing interest in esports and gaming at our school and wanted to create a place where students could explore this passion in a supportive environment. Green is also one of the few schools in our region that doesn’t have an esports program of any kind. We aim to foster both a community of gamers and a competitive spirit for those interested in the esports scene.”
