In its 48 years of existence, Apple Valley High School has frequently achieved success in the world of athletics and extracurricular activities, producing 68 team champions and numerous individual state champions in all areas of athletic activity.
It's time to add another group of talent to your school's group of champions. The Apple Valley esports program is an organized team of his 50 or so students who represent their high school in video game competitions against other high school teams. Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL). The league sponsors academic competitions in online games such as Valorant, Fortnite, and Super Smash Brothers.
In January, Apple Valley won its fourth consecutive championship in Valorant, arguably MNVL's best competition. This is his sixth win overall for Apple Valley, which only started fielding a competitive team four years ago.
Apple Valley is busy preparing not only to be recognized by the school at the upcoming Parade of Champions, but also to be nationally recognized as one of the best high school esports programs in the country.
Apple Valley will be featured at the Walter Day National High School & Collegee Esports Award Ceremony in Iowa on Saturday. This is considered one of the most prestigious honors awarded in esports.
Nearly seven years after starting the program, Apple Valley coach Isaac Johnson has become an avid advocate of esports. He knows the benefits firsthand.
“They develop necessary soft skills, including internal and interpersonal skills that are essential for human development, social participation, and success in the workplace,” Johnson said. “Things like communication and the ability to work with others on simple and complex tasks. I've seen them build community together. Even sitting together at lunch. .Like the football team, they are proud to wear their jerseys on game day.'' ”
The same benefits that athletes in traditional sports receive, such as connections at school and motivation in the classroom, will now be available to new students.
“For many people, esports is the only activity they participate in outside of work,” Johnson said. “I actively monitor my students' performance, and they need to be on track to participate in competitions. I watched him grow as a captain and lead the way.”
Economic factors are also increasing.
Universities across the country are offering scholarships in the esports field. In the Upper Midwest, Concordia (St. Paul), North Dakota, St. Cloud State, and Wisconsin River Falls have esports programs and active esports teams.
Nate Junker is a former Apple Valley team captain who is currently a key part of one of the nation's top esports collegiate programs, earning a scholarship to attend Concordia (St. Paul). Juncker admits that when he started playing the sport, he had little regard for college.
“When I was in middle school, I was involved in a lot of things, but in high school I wasn't so much. I didn't even know if I was going to go to college,” he said. “Since I started playing e-sports, I have met more people and have a different group of friends. It has made school even more fun.”
When senior Santiago Lara's family moved to the Apple Valley School District in 2020, Lara began looking for ways to foster friendships.
That's when I came across an e-sports program. “I was immediately intrigued. I was motivated by the idea of joining a community that shared my passion for gaming,” Lara wrote in an email. “Thanks to Mr. Johnson's guidance, I was introduced to the team and began a journey that will positively impact my life.”
Since then, he has become the team's captain and esports ambassador.
“I have met people who will form lifelong friendships,” Lara wrote. “Scholarship opportunities in college have broadened my horizons about future career paths. Apple Valley High School and Mr. Johnson have turned what I thought was just a play into something I really take pride in.” It gave me a new perspective to change things.”
