Crowds cheer and fans go wild, but they’re not in a stadium.

These competitors are in a room with computers going against other gamers.

Esports is gaining popularity.

According to the Michigan Journal of Economics, “The esport industry is a rapidly emerging cultural phenomenon that has grown out of a newer generation combined love for video games and watching great competition.” 

Gaining popularity means that schools all across the nation have been starting their own esports programs. Students can win prizes for their school, and they can even win scholarships for college. 

Dallastown Area School District has two esports programs: one is for students in 4-6 grade, and the other is for high school students. 

Dallastown Area Intermediate(4-6 grade) School was the first to start an esports program. In October of 2022,  Mrs. Keys, a fourth grade English teacher, and Mr.Keys, a sixth grade teacher, filled out a survey for their principal Mr.Thrush about their hopes and dreams. 

“We both wrote about our dream of bringing Esports to Dallastown,” Mrs.Keys says. 

Thrush was supportive of their dreams and got a grant from The Dallastown Area Educational Foundation (DAEF) to  help fund the cost.

The Keys hosted a STEAM camp in the summer to help get even more funding for additional games, controllers, and gaming chairs, allowing them to create their esports room.

An additional grant flew them to Japan and California to learn more about esports. 

The couple has been very passionate about esports, and finds it helps them to connect with students both in and out of the classroom.

“Mr. Keys and I have always been passionate about video games and enjoy playing together recreationally. For years, we’ve connected with students over our shared passion for gaming, and we know students today are spending more time in digital spaces.”  

There are currently 91 students in the esports team as part of Pathway Explorer Program (PEP). They also have after school clubs with six sessions with 24 students the after school season starts around winter/spring. 

They felt that it was very important for Dallastown to have an esports team to get students prepared for the future. With the esports team being built it can take students to new advancements. 

“One night we literally looked at each other and said, “If we want an Esports program to exist, we’re going to have to start building it,” Keys says. 

This year, Dallastown Area High School has their own esports team as well. Students can play games such as Valorant, Overwatch, Super Smash Brothers and Rocket League.

Math teachers Mr. Ford and Mr. Striebig serve as advisers for the high school team.

“Joining an esports team fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, helping students connect with peers who share similar interests, while also opening doors to careers in game design, streaming, marketing, and event management,” Ford said. 

Dallastown’s esports team competes every Wednesday and Thursday after school. They compete in classrooms, computer labs, and a classroom with a mobile TV. 

Senior Noah Taylor who is on the esports team found out about it last year from Mr. McAllister and then he got more information from Ford.

“I joined our ESports team because I greatly enjoy playing video games, especially when it comes to the competitive aspect of it, ” Taylor says.

Teams do not need to be together when they compete against their opponent. It makes schools have an easier access to having an esports team. 

 When the regular season ends they can enter the postseason. This year they hope to make it to the semi-finals. 

If they make it to semifinals they will be invited to an esports arena in a college. Competitions can last up to 30 minutes or three hours depending on the game they are playing.

As esports grow in popularity the esports team hopes they can grow in the future. 

“Looking towards next year, we hope to be able to grow our group of kids and improve upon our skills and get even better,” Ford says. 

Gaming can bring people together, especially students. When students play together they play as a team and create a bond together. 

“I believe in the power of gaming to bring students together and foster teamwork,” Ford explains. 

Taylor also thinks that esports brings students together.

“I get to be there with some of my friends, and it’s a little bit different than playing the game normally as this time you have a team that you know and so we come up with strategies on how we’ll beat the other teams,” Taylor says.

Esport gaming is constantly growing as the industry continues to grow. It’s important that Dallastown has an esports team to get students interested in the field and explore more opportunities. 

“I also love being part of a growing field that combines competition and creativity, and I see esports as a great way to promote inclusivity and community within the school,” Ford says. 

Esports can change students’ lives by being part of a team and it’s important that the highschool continues to grow their love of esports.