YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Dallastown Intermediate School teachers Nathan and Kristin Keys made it their goal to give as many student gamers as possible the chance to play.
Now, that goal is becoming a reality.
The school's Esports team is about to take another leap, as both prepare to study it on a worldwide level after receiving a multi-thousand dollar grant from the Fund for Teachers Grant.
"We were pleasantly surprised that we actually won," said Nathan. "Now we are going to be sent to LA and Tokyo to learn more about gaming and how we can better a program here at Dallastown."
Kids in the Dallastown Esports program are guided on good sportsmanship and given the chance to grow as players. For educators, studying some of the best in Esports is a rewarding way to help the program flourish.
"In the middle and high school, we hope they take it and run and have more competitive opportunities," said Kristin. "We know there are scholarships available [and] that there are amazing career pathways. We can't wait for our kids to explore some of their opportunities."
The growth of Esports has spread to the college, and even professional levels as well. The Keys' believe that getting the chance to bring back a new, professional perspective of the sport will be key in keeping Dallastown Esports going.
"The idea is that the middle school and high school will take what we learn, [and that] we will give them [new] ideas," said Nathan. "We hope to build Dallastown into a real powerhouse."