3rd Annual SBCSS Esports Symposum and Tournament

The 3rd Annual SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament effectively showcased the SBCSS Esports framework for building a meaningful and sustainable K-12 esports program. Centered around Four Pillars, School Connection, Reaching the Whole Child, College & Career Readiness, and Family & Community Engagement; the 3rd Annual Esports Symposium & Tournament on May 3, 2025, brought together students, families, educators, and industry partners in a celebration of competitive gaming, college and career exploration, and inclusive community engagement.Tournament play, including bracketing and match management, was provided by Generation Esports. The event featured middle and high school Super Smash Brothers Ultimate (SSBU) 1 v 1 competitions. Professional shoutcasting was provided by Jordan “FBI_Tugboat” Fitzpatrick, who worked with students to comment on the happenings of the matches.The 3rd Annual SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament effectively showcased the SBCSS Esports framework for building a meaningful and sustainable K-12 esports program. Centered around Four Pillars—School Connection, Reaching the Whole Child, College & Career Readiness, and Family & Community Engagement—the event demonstrated how competitive gaming can serve as a powerful intersection of education, student development, and community involvement. By strengthening school connectedness, promoting post-secondary pathways, and creating inclusive spaces, the event continues to exemplify best practices in educational esports.

SBCSS Esports Shoutcasting Workshop ft. FBI_Tugboat

On December 5, 2024, SBCSS hosted a Shoutcasting Workshop, facilitated by professional shoutcaster, Jordan Fitzpatrick (@FBI_Tugboat), who offered students valuable insights and skills regarding esports commentary. This special event was attended by Twenty students from Rialto Unified School District, San Bernardino City Unified School District, Barstow Unified School District, and Upland Unified School District. The workshop was enhanced by the support of DI Technology and the assistance of Project Wilderness, who worked with students to develop their shoutcasting abilities. Additionally, Workforce SBCSS supported students with the use of RapidMooc, an all-in-one video recording hardware device and capture processing software.

SBCSS Esports Fall Face-Off 2024

On December 6, 2024, esports athletes competed in the Fall Face Off, a LAN competition celebrating the season’s conclusion. This event provided students the opportunity to meet and compete in person with players from other teams they had faced in virtual tournaments. Thirty-four students from six districts participated in friendly competition. See below for Varstiy and JV winners.

Fall Face Off Varsity Division Winners:

1st Place: Jesse Sanchez – Rialto High School, Rialto Unified School District
2nd Place: James Dayton – Orangewood High School, Redlands Unified School District
3rd Place: Rogan Alibang – Orangewood High School, Redlands Unified School District
4th Place: Abraham Galloway – Upland High School, Upland Unified School District

Fall Face Off Junior Varsity Division Winners:

1st Place: Alan Martinez – Rialto High School, Rialto Unified School District
2nd Place: Leonardo Teniza – Rialto High School, Rialto Unified School District
3rd Place: Esteban Perez – Cajon High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District
4th Place: Jernan (Joey) Bernal – Rialto High School, Rialto Unified School District

2nd ANNUAL SBCSS ESPORTS SYMPOSIUM & TOURNAMENT

The Second Annual SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament took place on Saturday, May 4th at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center. This community event was attended by approximately two hundred students, families, and educators from 16 districts and 28 school sites throughout San Bernardino County.

The vision of the SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament was to highlight the four pillars of SBCSS Esports: School Connection, College & Career Readiness, SEL, and Family & Community Engagement. In order to accomplish these goals, the event showcased facets of the esports ecosystem which consists of various careers found within the esports industry. Level Up Clothing, provided t-shirt printing demonstrations. The SBCSS Esports logo was placed on black t-shirts and each student in attendance received one of the custom designs. GTRSimulator provided a racing rig that allowed students to practice driving skills, testing their abilities in critical thinking, problem solving, and reaction time. SBCSS Digital Learning Services hosted a hands-on STEM lab where students had an introduction to computer science and were provided opportunities to code their own video games. DI Technologies hosted a professional production station that enabled students to shoutcast and stream game play while their peers were competing.

Additional activities included two panel discussions. The first panel featured students, coaches, and parents. Esports athletes from Cajon High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District, and Upland High School, Upland School District, shared their experiences with being part of a competitive esports team at their high schools. Coaches shared examples of how esports has had a positive effect on their students. They also gave success strategies and tips for fellow coaches in attendance. The second panel consisted of esports industry experts. Panelists included a COO, Scholastic Esports Specialist, two nationally-ranked esports coaches, and several entrepreneurs. These professionals gave insight and information to career options for students interested in esports endeavors and beyond.

Game play was divided into two separate tournaments, one for middle school and one for high school students. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate was played in each tournament. Bracketing was managed and hosted by Generation Esports. The Middle School competition consisted of 48 players from 14 school sites and 8 districts. It came down to Sophia Jimenez (7) and Aaron Hernandez Estrada (8), both from Southridge Tech Middle School, FUSD, battling it out for first place. Aaron ended up taking the title as the 2024 SBCSS Esports MS Champion! High School competition consisted of approximately 70 players from 15 school sites and 9 districts. In the end an exciting match ensued from David Macias (12), Pacific High School, SBCUSD, and Adrian Santos (10), Cajon High School, SBCUSD. Adrian Santos, the 2024 SBCSS Esports HS Champion, received an energetic welcome as he accepted his trophy with his team, coach, and family cheering him on.

The vision of the SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament was to highlight the four pillars of SBCSS Esports: School Connection, College & Career Readiness, SEL, and Family & Community Engagement. In providing an opportunity for students, coaches and families to attend the event, cheer on their players, learn from peers and industry professionals we were able to accomplish the mission of the event. This was a wonderful way to bring our gaming community together from throughout San Bernardino County.

Behind the Scenes with GTRSim: 2nd Annual SBCSS Symposium & Tournament

Join GTRSim as they showcase the incredible experiences and opportunities provided to students at the 2nd Annual SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament.

In this video, they highlight the events of the symposium, such as immersive gaming setups, insightful discussions, and the electric atmosphere of competitive esports.

Watch the full video to see how GTRSim is supporting digital learning and technology in schools.

Inaugural SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament 2023

Resources & Recap

About the Inaugural SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament

The Inaugural SBCSS Esports Symposium and Tournament took place on 4/29/23. This event was open to students, educators, and families. The first part of the day consisted of informative sessions. Speakers included representatives from University of Redlands, Esports Engine, Generation Esports, CSUSB Cybersecurity, and SBCSS ROP (Regional Occupancy Program). The goal of these sessions was to provide information that emphasizes the importance of esports for social-emotional wellbeing, learning, teamwork, skill development, and college and career opportunities.

After the sessions, students & families attended a phenomenal keynote presentation with the incredible Oliver North! Mr. North motivated students to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. He gave them tools and information that helped them develop a formula for success. As a gamer himself, Mr. North connected with the students and inspired them with his own stories of overcoming set backs and finding success in following his dreams.

After a lunch break to refuel, Ultimate Smash Bros tournaments took place for grades 6-8 & 9-12, while Minecraft build challenges and free builds were open to students 4th grade and above. Congratulations to Jesse Sanchez from Rialto High School for winning the High School Tournament and Isaac Aguilar Ramirez from Maple Elementary for winning the Middle School Tournament.

SBCSS Esports is thankful to our IT team, presenters, volunteers, chaperones, coaches, educators, and administrators who came together to make this event fun, informative, and successful. We would also like to thank the students and families that dedicated their Saturday to attend the event. Looking forward to the 2nd Annual SBCSS Esports Symposium and Tournament in 2024!!!

A very special thank you to Data Impressions for providing an Esports Demo Lab, custom wall wraps, and prizes consisting of gaming chairs and a Nintendo Switch. We greatly appreciate their support of the Inaugural SBCSS Esports Symposium & Tournament.

SBCSS Esports is grateful for the donation of Nintendo Switches from the Loma Linda Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 935, and the Sheriff Employee's Benefit Association (SEBA). Game play was made possible by their generous support to our program.