At their recent meeting, the Henryetta Lions Club welcomed an insightful presentation on a rapidly growing extracurricular activity - eSports. Lion of the Day, Collene Fowler, along with Lion Bob Fowler, introduced the club to Dewar Public Schools’ newest competitive sport, eSports. With 32 middle and high school students participating, the program has already made a significant impact, even sending a player to the state tournament in its inaugural year.
At their recent meeting, the Henryetta Lions Club welcomed an insightful presentation on a rapidly growing extracurricular activity - eSports. Lion of the Day, Collene Fowler, along with Lion Bob Fowler, introduced the club to Dewar Public Schools’ newest competitive sport, eSports. With 32 middle and high school students participating, the program has already made a significant impact, even sending a player to the state tournament in its inaugural year.
Mrs. Yeager, the Dewar eSports coach, shared with the Lions how this program has brought numerous benefits to students, fostering team-building skills and inclusivity. She emphasized that eSports has provided a space where students of all backgrounds and abilities can come together, breaking barriers and strengthening school spirit. “It really brings the whole student body together,” Yeager noted.
Among the most popular games students compete in are Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, and Apex Legends. Through structured competitions, students develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and camaraderie, mirroring the teamwork seen in traditional sports. The Oklahoma Scholastic eSports organization, which supports schools in competitive gaming, provides a structured environment for these competitions. Teams, scores, and rankings can be tracked online at OKSE.org.
One challenge the program faces is access to gaming equipment. Many students do not have the necessary gaming systems at home, limiting their ability to practice and improve. To address this, the Dewar eSports team is accepting donations of gaming consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch systems, as well as monitors. The school hopes that by increasing accessibility, more students will be encouraged to participate in this growing sport. Community members interested in donating can contact Dewar Schools to contribute. eSports is proving to be more than just a game - it is an opportunity for students to engage in positive competition, build social connections, and enhance their educational experience. With its early success, Dewar’s eSports program is poised to continue growing, providing even more students with a chance to compete, learn and excel in this modern digital arena.
