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Barstow High students describe rapid growth of esports program as county leaders praise its benefits
Summary
Barstow High School students and a San Bernardino County administrator told the board the school's CIF-recognized esports program has grown to about 78 students, offers seven game titles, and supports digital literacy, shoutcasting and community events.
Barstow High School students on the district agenda described a fast-growing esports program that organizers say now serves about 78 students and competes countywide.
Students including Bailey Depapa and Benjamin Benell told the board the team began three years ago with roughly 13 participants and has expanded to a competitive program that fields teams in Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, Rocket League, Minecraft and other titles. "We're one of the most competitive and successful esports programs in San Bernardino County," Depapa said, adding that students also produce digital media and serve as shoutcasters.
Jessica Buchet, identified in the presentation as the county administrator who oversees esports, said the program uses esports to build community and school connectedness. "Esports reaches students where they are," Buchet said, describing four program pillars: social-emotional learning, school connectedness, family and community engagement, and college-and-career readiness. She and student leaders said the team uses PlayVersus for online matches and attends larger in-person tournaments.
Students said the program includes open membership rather than tryouts, weekly tutoring and mentoring through the school's web-leader program, and extracurricular activities such as charity tournaments (one event raised more than $300 for foster youth). Nico Zamora, captain of the school's Minecraft build team, said the team recently received national attention for a BuildTech project that emphasized architecture and engineering skills.
Program leaders told the board facility and technology support from the district made expansion possible; they said the district provided bandwidth and technical assistance to host multi-game matches. Presenters described a five-year model that projects program enrollment could reach 100—50 students.
The presentation concluded with students inviting the board and community to upcoming matches and family events, including a robotics-focused family night on Nov. 19. The board offered thanks and lauded the students' community engagement and competitive success.
The presentation took place during the board's regular meeting; no formal action or funding request was recorded in the transcript.
