Exploring Esports

When asking Mr. Ehrenberg why he created E-Sports he said, “I am a big video gamer and I wanted a way to share with the kids and show them how fun it could be to, you know, compete and all that stuff. And plus, I get to go work and then teach kids how to play video games, and it's fun.” And just like that, E‑Sports at Walter Reed Middle School was born.

December 3rd

Every great season has a moment that players never forget. For Mr. Ehrenberg, it came during a Mario Kart race just weeks earlier.

“There was this moment where Nathan was racing,” he recalled. “He was in sixth place. Then he hit a mushroom, took a shortcut at exactly the right time, jumped from sixth to second, and then took the lead.”

When asked what games could join the program in the future, Mr. Ehrenberg explained, “So there’s a lot of games, but unfortunately, because you guys are in middle school, there’s a bunch of restrictions. So Rocket League is on the list. We’re getting computers soon to be able to do that. So Rocket League is definitely on the list. Also, [the students] were mentioning Splatoon, but if the kids wanted to do it, League of Legends is one that I would really like to do. But again, there’s a lot of sports where you have to be over a certain age or there’s certain restrictions. So, it’s all still kind of new, because the program that Esports is on is called Play Versus and Play Versus for middle school, it’s still fairly new. So they’re still bringing stuff in. So next year there’s probably going to be a bunch of new games that they’ll add in, but at the moment, that’s what they have.”

But when asked the most important question, his favorite part of the club, Mr. Ehrenberg didn’t talk about wins or trophies.

“I like how the kids connect with each other and how they work together and how they build teamwork and how they become friends, and how you can see them getting better. I mean, you read about today’s game, they were supporting each other, and they were getting excited. Even the Super Smash Kids, who aren’t a part of the Mario Kart team, they’re all Esports, and they all support each other, and that’s the best part of it.”

Walter Reed Middle School vs. Skyview Middle School

4 v 4. Normal items. Random tracks.

Reed Middle School hosted the tournament, setting up two TVs, one Nintendo Switch per screen, with two players racing on each. Before every match, the team practiced together.

The players for the day were Micah Trujillo, Ari Suh, Nathan Rodriguez, and Hayes Colby.

Match One

• Dry Dry Desert: Reed finished 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 7th, jumping ahead 23–16.

• Maple Treeway: Reed extended the lead to 42–36.

• Wario Gold Mine: Reed stayed dominant, 63–54.

• Coconut Mall: Reed sealed it, winning 87–69.

Match score: Reed 1 – Skyview 0

Match Two

• Sky Garden: Reed took control early, 22–17.

• SNES Rainbow Road: The lead grew to 44–34.

• Bowser Castle 3: Reed stayed strong, 66–51.

• Mario Circuit: Reed closed it out, 85–71.

Final score: Reed 2 – Skyview 0

Walter Reed didn’t just win the game, they took first place in the league and held it for the rest of the season.

Victory Ritual

Wins are celebrated in a very specific way.

After every victory, the team gathers in Pokémon Scarlet to make a “victory sandwich.” Each player adds one ingredient. 

As soon as it appeared on screen, the room erupted.

“PEANUT BUTTER ALERT!”

Everyone was excited as they begged their teacher to add an ingredient too. He added Pepper because that his the name of one of his dogs.

December 4th – Smash Team Showdown

The Smash team warmed up after school, preparing for their match. The players were Alexander Moon, Logan Jover, Elise Jover, and Mason Galindo.

Characters were chosen:

• Logan Jover as Falco

• Mason Galindo as Sonic

• Elise Jover as Pikachu

• Alexander Moon as Isabelle and Palutena

Match One
Falco vs. Captain Falcon. Logan dominated, winning both rounds 2–0.

Score: Reed 1 – Opponent 0

Match Two
Sonic vs. King K. Rool. The momentum shifted. Sonic fell in two straight rounds.

Game tied: 1–1

Match Three
Pikachu vs. King Dedede. Two tough losses.

Score: Reed 1 – Opponent 2

Match Four
Isabelle vs. King Dedede. After a loss, Reed switched characters. Palutena struck back, tying the round—only for King K. Rool to finish the match.

Final score: Reed 1 – Opponent 3

It was a crushing loss. But it wasn’t the end. Esports never gives up.