Student athletes at a high school in Queens have won both state and national championships without setting foot on a field.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their sport is competitive video gaming, a program growing in schools nationwide.<\/p>\n
“It’s a natural fit”<\/p>\n
At Health, Arts, Robotics, and Technology High School (HARTs) in Cambria Heights, lessons range from drone operation to graphic design. But these days, one discipline has students particularly excited: video games.<\/p>\n
“My favorite games, I would say, are Marvel Rivals and Fortnite,” junior Amare McDonald said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
About 40 students make up the esports program at HARTs, which triumphed at 2025 state and national competitions. Coaches say training keeps players sharp.<\/p>\n
“We have them practicing Monday through Friday, three hours a day,” robotics teacher and esports coach Jordan Jean said. “We have varsity, junior varsity and club, so everybody can learn from each other.”<\/p>\n
The program blends computer science and software engineering in a new state-of-the-art facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“That’s probably my biggest goal, to be an electrical engineer or some type of engineer,” freshman Ayden Hanif said. “It’s a fun class that we take. Not a lot of high schools are going to have the opportunity to do all of this.”<\/p>\n
Principal Kayode Ayetiwa says esports connect students with scholarships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Because students are often already gamers, it’s a natural fit,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s basically helping me uplift myself and bring everybody up with me”<\/p>\n
Critics share concerns about too much screen time taking away from schoolwork, hobbies or just living life offline. Educators say balance is key.<\/p>\n
“We see an increase in enrollment, engagement, attendance,” assistant principal Anna Raghubir said. “There is a buzz about what’s happening here in Cambria Heights.”<\/p>\n
Game design teacher Errol Davis says the program cultivates soft skills from teamwork to communication.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“And then, there’s technical skills, how they program, how they build creatively, how they do design, the engineering cycle,” he said.<\/p>\n
When esports arrived at HARTs in the spring of 2025, the concept raised eyebrows among some parents.<\/p>\n
“I was very skeptical at first,” Shari Duncan said.<\/p>\n
Duncan’s mind was changed witnessing her son’s personal growth, new enthusiasm and tight bonds.<\/p>\n
“They are a team. They all move together inside and outside of esports,” she said.<\/p>\n
Students say esports gives them a reason to hold their heads high.<\/p>\n
“At first, I was a very quiet person. I never used to want to talk to anyone,” senior Jahiem Prescod said. “But this year, when esports started, I was speaking to almost everyone.”<\/p>\n
“It’s basically helping me uplift myself and bring everybody up with me,” McDonald said.<\/p>\n