Esports: Get your game face on

School board members learned about new esports programs at Iola Middle and High schools. IMS esports sponsor Chris Belknap talked about the benefits of competitive gaming, such as strategy, leadership, good sportsmanship and problem-solving. The district also accepted awards from the state.
USD 257 Superintendent Stacey Fager, from left, and school board members Dan Willis, Robin Griffin-Lohman and Jennifer Taylor face off in a video game during a presentation about a new esports club at Iola Middle School. Griffin-Lohman scored highest in the group, with Fager coming in last. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
by Vickie Moss
Published: October 29, 2024
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School board members learned about new esports programs at Iola Middle and High schools. IMS esports sponsor Chris Belknap talked about the benefits of competitive gaming, such as strategy, leadership, good sportsmanship and problem-solving. The district also accepted awards from the state.

School board members threw bananas and turtle shells at each other Monday night in an enthusiastic, if not skilled, game of Mario Kart at Iola Middle School.

They learned a hands-on lesson about IMS’s new esports program, with Chris Belknap, esports club sponsor and teacher, giving them instruction along the way.

The middle school’s esports program began as an after-school club in the 2022-23 school year, mostly teaching students how to play strategy games such as chess. The school board last spring approved the purchase of gaming equipment to officially start esports programs at both the middle and high school. 

Vickie Moss

Vickie joined The Iola Register in 2018. With more than 20 years of experience in journalism, Vickie is passionate about her job. She enjoys the challenges and variety that come with newspaper reporting, especially opportunities to tell stories that make a difference in the community and in readers’ lives. Since Vickie started at The Iola Register, she has won top awards statewide for her work. She enjoys spending time with friends and serving on the board of Humanity House. She has two daughters.

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