Jose Ramirez’s dream was to get some serious esports action when he founded North High School’s esports team two years ago. He and his club are serious in the computer game scene and want to make their high school a respectable source of esports competition. Sounds like Sioux City in Iowa is going to see some awesome esports action in the future!

Esports Is Still a Sport

The Sioux City Journal spoke to Ramirez recently. He spoke about the goal of the club: “I thought it would be fun to bring kids with a similar interest together,” the 11th grader explained. “As the club grew bigger, I figured we should start thinking in terms of tournaments.”

Now that the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation donated $5,000 in the form of a grant to the esports team, they can purchase gaming computers, as well as esports-friendly swag for their team.

Granted, $5,000 will not go too far, but they want to make it last. It’s a start, though! If the club is successful in drawing in more players, and winning in competitive esports, they could wind up with more grants in the future, we would hope.

Sounds like North High School in Sioux City will be able to host esports tournaments, and participate in them across the country, thanks to this helpful grant. More than 170 colleges and universities take place in esports, and high schools are joining in more than ever.

There is around $16 million in college scholarships in the esports scene too, so it can seriously help high school students fund their future education. It’s not like esports players play games casually and that’s it. There’s a lot of strategy sessions, ranked matches, drills, and playing against other teams to prepare themselves for future battles.

According to National Public Radio, high schools in 17 states and the District of Columbia have formal esports teams.

But what do they play at North High School?

They Don’t Like Fortnite

North High School’s esports team prefers online team-based games, like League of Legends, and CSGO, or even Rainbow Six Siege. One of the members of the esports club, Jett Lanagan points out something very important that adults are missing: “People have a misconception about shooter games celebrating violence,” sophomore Jett Lanagan said. “If you’re wired a certain way, gaming can be a bad thing. Most gamers don’t think that way.”

These games do have a fair amount of foul language. However, you can always turn down the audio to get around that. Though, Fortnite is not welcome here. Coyle is fine with most games, except Fortnite.

He hates Fortnite. They don’t play it at their esports club. Ramirez said that since it’s played with more than five players, it emphasizes chance over skill, which I can certainly see. There is skill involved in Fortnite. But, sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is all that matters. Coyle however, also doesn’t like Fortnite players.

These club members don’t seem to see pro esports in their future, though. Many of them have plans to do other things, like work in computer tech, or be police officers. Sure, being a pro player would be awesome, but this could mostly be a means to an end. You meet new people, make new friends, and it can also help you make money for your future in college. Esports teams and clubs become like another family.

You love to see it.