Poway High School celebrated the formal opening of its new Esports Arena on March 24. A classroom converted into a game room where students can practise on 10 gaming computers and a Nintendo Switch.
The stadium is the first of its kind for the Poway Unified School District.
After the ribbon was cut to formally open the space. Poway High teachers and staff, as well as team sponsors, entered a room buzzing with activity as students played games such as Rocket League and League of Legends on computers and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch.
Students from the Esports club interacted with instructors and sponsors while playing, answering inquiries. “We gave the adults the opportunity to participate in the activities. “Poway High Principal Richard Nash made a goal while playing Rocket League with the students, eliciting applause.
“Nash noticed that a large number of students at the high school were interested in gaming. They began pressing to expand the Esports club,” he stated. The new arena is the result of several years of collaboration between staff, teachers, and students for the club. It began with two monitors set up in the rear of a classroom for students to play Super Smash Bros.
“We wanted to find a way to bring that passion to them here at school so they could stay connected” Nash said.
Nash became even more convinced of the club’s importance after learning that more and more schools participating. Including UC Irvine and UCLA, are offering Esports scholarships.
Nash hired Kurt Jackson, a high school social science teacher and faculty adviser for the Esports club, in 2020. Aaron Jaffe, a former girls’ soccer coach who was holding an Esports club in the back of his classroom. He is also involved.
