By: Elizabeth Jones, Social Media Specialist, Florida Virtual School

When I was a kid, playing with friends looked like basketball in the driveway or a bike ride through the neighborhood. Now, playing with friends looks a little different. Life-long friendships are being formed online, through video games!

Recently, we had a chance to chat with two Florida Virtual School (FLVS) online student captains of our eSports Video Game Club. And they confirmed—video games are more than you think! They’re a community builder for this and future generations.

eSports, What’s That?

Simply put, eSports are multiplayer video games that are played competitively! Now you might be wondering… how does that work? Well, for the FLVS eSports Video Game Club, students are divided into teams based on the game they wish to play and then split into smaller teams who compete against each other. Of the smaller teams, whichever team wins the most games, goes on to compete against other schools’ teams.

FLVS Flex student Reese L. explained that the smaller teams give online students a space where they can play to their individual strengths, collaborate to build team synergy, and develop winning strategies! And since the FLVS eSport Video Game Club (grades 9-12) and the Junior Gaming Club (grades 6-8) are made up of more than a hundred active members, the clubs can support multiple teams across the 7 eSports games they play.

It’s More than a Video Game, It’s A Virtual Community

For FLVS Flex student Trevor F., the club’s impact spreads far beyond playing video games with other FLVS students. Throughout our chat, he talked about the connections he’s made with fellow online students and the tight-knit community that has grown over the years.

Trevor also shared that they have a Discord with more than 300 members, where online students connect with each other outside of club meetings, chat about their classes and games, and organize game time amongst smaller groups.

And Reese agreed. As someone who was hesitant to join, she said that the club welcomes all levels of gaming experience, and they strive to create an environment where everyone can be seen and heard.

Inspiring the Future of the Gaming Industry

When we asked Trevor and Reese about their plans after high school, both shared their excitement about computer science. In fact, Trevor’s dream is to attend Full Sail University to major in computer science—and FLVS is helping him get there. Trevor says he’s taken a few computer science courses through FLVS, including theFoundations of Programmingcourse.

And not to mention, scholarships. Last year, Trevor earned a $500 scholarship from PlayVS, an online platform that hosts eSports tournaments. And he’s not the only one—FLVS club sponsor, Coach Lambart says six students have earned scholarships through their involvement with the club!

Reese is also considering a career in computer science, specifically game design and development, a career path that she may not have considered if she hadn’t joined the club. She says the club has impacted her in many positive ways from being part of a community to inspiring her path forward.

Ready to press play? Join Trevor & Reese atClub Rushto learn more about the FLVS eSports Video Game Club!

About the author: Elizabeth Jones is a Social Media Support Specialist for FLVS and FlexPoint, sharing the unique online learning experiences of students, families, and educators. Outside of work, she enjoys road trips to new places and spending time with family!