Greater Latrobe logs on with esports club program

It’s game on at Greater Latrobe Senior High.

“I’ve been playing since I was old enough to remember,” Jesse Simonovitch said of the Super Smash Bros. video game he plays competitively as part of a new esports club organized this year at the school in Unity.

The senior wants to pursue college studies in journalism and graphic design, with a particular interest in contributing to the look of video games such as the ones that have provided him hours of entertainment and challenge.

He said he also wouldn’t mind joining in college esports now that he’s experienced competitive league play along with Greater Latrobe students.

Before joining his school’s program, competing with other players from about 30 Pennsylvania schools, Simonovitch mostly played against friends.

“I was kind of worried I wouldn’t be talented enough,” he said, “but it’s gone pretty well so far.”

Using a PIAA-aligned gaming platform provided by PlayVS, the Greater Latrobe students each pick a “fighter” character with particular strengths and abilities and launch attacks against an opposing character, with the goal of sending the foe flying from a virtual stage.

“I have really good skills on offense, but I need to get better at playing defensively,” Simonovitch said.” I don’t protect myself. I leave myself vulnerable to being hit.

“You can do damage to yourself if you hit the opponent, so it’s a risk-and-reward. I think that’s real satisfying.”

More than a dozen students are taking part in esports league competition at Greater Latrobe, meeting twice a week after classes with a big screen display in the high school library, according to Principal Ted Benning, who is one of two program advisers.

Benning said esports provides students an opportunity to hone skills.

“It ties into career readiness,” he said. “It gives our kids a chance to emphasize communication, collaboration, critical thinking and being creative.

“And it’s fun. The kids love it. They don’t feel like they’re doing something they’re told to do. It’s something they want to do.”

“I think (gaming) at the school with my classmates has made me a lot better as a player,” said senior Daniel Petrie, who is planning for college studies in photography and graphic design. “Both of the games are really fun.”

Senior Nathan Shashura, who participates in the school’s choral and band programs, said he finds inspiration in the musical accompaniment of the video games.

“If the game has a good soundtrack, that goes hand in hand with being creative,” he said. “My dream would be to understand how to market my own music that I make.”

Open to students in grades 9-12, the Greater Latrobe esports was awarded a $1,000 grant voted on by the student council. That helped pay for gaming hardware, switches, a controller and licensing fees.

Benning is hoping the program can grow with sustained interest into a full-fledged school team sport and expand with additional computer equipment.

“We have game managers, but it’s really student-centered,” he said.