Also known as electronic sports, eSports is a form of competition that is facilitated through computer gaming. Most commonly, eSports takes the form of organized, multiplayer online video game competitions. These competitions often incorporate live broadcasts with commentary.
After watching Suwannee Middle School's eSports Club play another team, Dr. Cassandra Brown, Director of Title IV, Part A at the Florida Department of Education, shared some observations. "While some may only see kids playing video games, the skills that were being instilled in the players were evident: problem solving, analysis, communication, and critical thinking. Think about the technical skills necessary to access the game, livestream, and navigate between multiple screens. I also saw comradery and positivity. The students commented on losing the matches, but they were not down on their teammates. The players kept playing earnestly. These are all skills students will need as they mature into the young citizens we need for our communities."
A special thank you to Keith Stavig, Tammy Neil and Jacob Williamson who have made this valuable program available to Suwannee students.