SSMS hosts largest eSports tournament in city history

The cafeteria at Sycamore Springs Middle School (SSMS) was transformed into a gaming epicenter on Friday, Oct. 3 as the eSports club and the SSMS PTA hosted a Mario Kart Tournament for the students.

Adam Santos, math teacher and eSports club sponsor, said over 60 students and volunteers signed up to participate, making this the largest eSports tournament event ever held in Dripping Springs.

“We’re trying to host events for students that normally don’t stay after school for the typical extracurriculars like band, choir, athletics, and UIL,” Santos said.

Last spring, the school hosted a Smash Bros Ultimate tournament for students, but this tournament drew double the number of participants.

“We know that gaming is a huge part of students’ lives,” Santos said. “One of our major goals with hosting eSports tournaments is to give another competitive outlet for students who don’t normally get to showcase their talents.”

The event also enabled students from different interest areas to mingle and interact with students from other social circles than their own, Santos said.

“My personal favorite part of the event is just hearing students cheer, encourage, and give tips to each other during the competition,” Santos said. “We know that there is so much negativity and toxicity that can occur in online spaces around gaming. I think it’s important to have kids partake in something that they normally do in isolation, in a structured and competitive environment. It becomes a great way to showcase the unique ways that video games can bring communities together for fun and fellowship.”