More Than a Game: Esports showcase brings students from five schools together

Jeff Davis Parish recently launched its first Scholastic Esports (electronic sports) and Digital Media Showcase, bringing together over 70 elementary and middle school students from across the parish participating in esports and various digital media roles.

The event allows students to compete in structured tournament brackets while developing important skills that engage science, technology, engineering and math.

Participating schools included Hathaway High, Lake Arthur Elementary, Jennings Elementary, Jennings High and Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High. Organizers hope to expand the program next year to include Elton Elementary and Elton High schools.

“When people think of sports, they probably don’t think of video gaming, but this is a fast-growing competition among schools and colleges across the country,” School Board Technology Supervisor Laurie Duhon said. “It’s not just about playing video games.”

She said esports turns video games into an official school activity fostering teamwork, communication, and leadership. Beyond gaming, the program includes roles such as game narration, live commentary and graphic design.

“These are skills that can help them develop critical STEM skills and future career paths, especially in digital media and the technology industry,” Duhon said. “These skills will help them as game developers, coders, broadcasters and graphic designers.”

Program Director Jerry Whitlow, who has been developing the program for three years, said the program extends beyond gaming to include various media production roles like live shoutcasting (commentary), interviewing participants, operating cameras, and producing event coverage to create a comprehensive broadcast experience.

Competitive video gaming is rapidly growing in schools and is increasingly recognized at the collegiate level, offering scholarship opportunities to students.

Laura Gautreaux, a teacher at Lake Arthur Elementary School, said the goal of esports is to encourage students to develop teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

“It’s really nice to see these students take on their roles, support each other as a team and excel at it,” she said.

Betty Wise, a teacher at Jennings Elementary School, said esports provides an initiative for students who are not involved in traditional sports to collaborate with their peers and represent their schools. She said students have been meeting with coaches after school on Tuesdays to practice for the competition.

“Hopefully this will teach them sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the value of being part of a team,” Wise said.Cleo Williams, a fourth grader at Jennings Elementary School, expressed his enthusiasm for the event.

“I love video games, especially Nintendo and I know I’m going to be good at this,” Williams said. “But it’s teaching me how to use the controls better and not go cray-cray over winning.”

Violet Lejeune, a fourth grader at Lake Arthur Elementary School, used her role as a reporter to interview the participants, spectators and local media. She noted that while it can be difficult to talk to strangers, she has been practicing for the role.

Maddox McFarlain, a fourth grader at Lake Arthur Elementary School, also enjoyed reporting, stating, “It’s just fun getting to meet people and see what they think about esports.”

Meanwhile, Anna Donahoe, a fourth grader at Lake Arthur Elementary School, was among the many video photographers filming the players, shoutcasters and spectators.

Chevy Hazell, a seventh grader at Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High School, provided live commentary.

“I like it because you get to experience it firsthand and it’s not hard to narrate what’s going on,” he said. “I basically just explain what’s happening, what is possible or what the players could do next.”

Kaydence Kershaw, a fourth grader at Lake Arthur Elementary, designed personal team logos to give the gamers their own identity.

“I’ve always loved art and this is so much fun,” Kershaw said. “It’s just the creativity of it all that I love.”