SREB Making Schools Work Conference 2023
SSEL Brings Esports Showcase to National Conference
The Sunshine State Esports League was invited to present an esports showcase at this year's SREB Making Schools Work Summer Conference. The conference was held at the beautiful Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida on July 19th and 20th. The esports showcase was powered by the Full Sail Armada, the collegiate esports team from Full Sail University.
Scholar Gamers from SSEL schools from around the state of Florida were invited to participate in either the Rocket League Tournament on Wednesday, or the Super Smash Brothers Tournament on Thursday. Both tournaments were also open to any students with the participants of the conference. Both days were also broadcast through the SSEL Twitch Channel. Student broadcasters (shoutcasters) were on hand both days to share each tournament with the world. You can see the replays on our YouTube Channel.
Conference participants could also have visited our booth in the Vendor Hall where we shared more about the entire esports ecosystem. Educators were amazed at just how many careers were tied into esports. All were also introduced to NASEF (our national affiliate) to help them get started in their own states. It was definitely a learning experience for all that stopped by.
photo credit: Nai Wang
In addition to participating in the tournaments, students from Suwannee Middle School and Palm Beach High participated in a student panel so conference attendees could get first hand information about the value of esports in the lives of the students. During this panel, parents of the students also voiced their opinions about how valuable the experiences are for them as well.
Students from Palm Beach High brought their A-game to both of the tournaments.
The Trinity Lutheran School brought their teams to the event and showed off some amazing moves that inspired other players.
Our president, Tammy Neil, and members of the Full Sail Armada spoke about why schools should start esports clubs. A clear passion for esports was evident from all in the room.
From shoutcasting on Twitch, to the actual game play on stage, conference participants from around the world got a first hand look at what a scholastic esports program can bring to their schools. Every student in attendance played the role of esports ambassador with pride, dignity and grace.
The SSEL Board awarded the trophy to the Palm Beach High School team at the end of the Rocket League Tournament Day.
Day two brought even more fun and excitement as SSEL held its first ever Smash Bros. Tournament. The Full Sail Armada team facilitated the tournament and taught the SSEL Board Members so much about what we need to do to prepare for our upcoming events. The shoutcasting team stepped up and performed well despite never having met before this day. It was a great testimony to scholastic esports that these students could come together and perform so well.
Participants and shoutcasting crew from the Smash Bros tournament take their bow on stage. This was an exciting event that will have long lasting effects for so many of those in attendance.
Students enjoyed the swag provided by both Full Sail University and SREB.