At the March 6 Board of Education meeting, North Royalton Middle School (NRMS) STEM and Computer Science teacher Don Filips, along with students from the Esports Club, delivered an engaging presentation highlighting the club’s success and impact.
The students shared insights into the club’s growth, the competitive nature of esports, and how their participation has helped develop teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The club, which integrates with the eighth-grade GAD curriculum, has become an avenue for students to explore high school, college, and career opportunities in the esports industry.
In their presentation, the team emphasized the many benefits of esports, including improved focus, discipline, self-esteem, and emotional and social development. Additionally, they showcased match footage, scoreboards, and details on the games currently played at the middle school level. Current OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) middle school games include Chess, Rocket League, Madden 24, Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, Minecraft: Bedwars, and Splatoon 3.
The students in the club include Carter Lindsay, Madelynn Rauscher, Kaydin Santovin, Manav Shah, Liam Simna, Tyler Walker, Ethan Cirignano, Oliver Rhodes, Samuel Fischer, Grayson Lister, and Connor Rezny.
The Board members expressed their enthusiasm for the program and its ability to engage students in a unique and meaningful way. With growing interest and support, NRMS Esports is poised to expand further, providing even more students with valuable skills and experiences in the digital age.