Jr. Esports Tournament Introduces Elementary Students to Career Pathways Through Gaming

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) hosted the district’s second annual Jr. Esports Tournament, welcoming elementary students from across the district for a night of competition, collaboration, and career exploration. Students competed in a Mario Kart 8 bracket-style tournament that highlighted how esports connects to career pathways such as game development, media production, graphic design, journalism, and information technology.

The evening also showcased how students across multiple grade levels contributed behind the scenes, from live broadcasting to conducting interviews and capturing photos throughout the event.

Ten elementary schools participated, including Altitude, Aspen Crossing, Belleview, Challenge, Cimarron, Eastridge, Mission Viejo, Mountain Vista, Pine Ridge, and Woodland. Students competed for the title of the fastest school in Mario Kart 8, practicing teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship throughout the evening.

A Collaboration that Drives Learning

According to Ryan Remien, an Altitude Elementary STEM teacher, the event was created with long-term opportunities in mind.

"The event started last year with four schools, and the idea was to provide an on-ramp for elementary students to participate in esports at the high school level," Remien said.

At the high school level, esports is now a CHSAA-sponsored program, with Cherry Creek High School winning League of Legends in the Fall of 2025 and Smoky Hill Unified Team winning Mario Kart in the Spring of 2025. The Jr. Esports Tournament reflects the district’s commitment to expanding access to meaningful extracurricular opportunities and introducing students to career pathways early in their educational journey.

Student Impact and Industry Engagement

As the competition unfolded throughout the evening, the focus extended well beyond gameplay. The event highlighted learning experiences that help students communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and approach challenges with confidence beyond the classroom.

"The importance for us is providing opportunities for kids to practice sportsmanship, camaraderie, teamwork, and creativity,” Remien said. “All the things you would have in any other after-school activity or sport. We are just finding another avenue to help students become the best version of themselves."

Returning rivals Woodland’s Champs and Mission Viejo’s Road Racers met again in the championship match, with Mission Viejo earning this year’s title after Woodland’s win last season.

Collaboration Across Pathways

Students from Overland High School played an essential role in bringing the event to life. Broadcast and Journalism students, led by teacher Mitchell Sedlmayr, broadcast the tournament live, delivering real-time commentary and coverage throughout the evening. The experience gave students the opportunity to put their broadcasting, journalism, and live event production skills into practice.

Beyond the live broadcast, students were also capturing stories that unfolded throughout the event. Yearbook students from Laredo Middle School, led by Stacey Sarjeant, a Career and Technical Education Design and Multimedia Arts teacher, documented the tournament through photos and interviews. Students captured key moments and connected with coaches, staff, and participants, gaining firsthand experience in storytelling, public relations, and media production.

"We are interviewing people and asking them what they have done throughout their season and how they overcame challenges," said Burke Belayneh, an eighth-grade yearbook student from Laredo Middle School.

For student journalist Nolawi Eyasu, also a member of Laredo Middle School’s yearbook club, the event offered an opportunity to challenge common misconceptions around esports.

"A lot of people think video games do not amount to anything, but that is a misconception," Eyasu said. "Many games help build teamwork, social skills, and problem-solving. Esports gives people a way to connect in ways they feel comfortable."

For the yearbook students, the experience also built confidence and communication skills.

"Being in yearbook has helped me with interviewing and public speaking," Eyasu shared. "I get to connect with students from different grade levels and tell stories I would not have been part of otherwise."

Strengthening Pathways for the Future

Hosting the Jr. Esports Tournament at CCIC reinforces how Cherry Creek Schools connects student interests with industry-aligned skills through pathways in STEAM, information technology, media, and communications.

"A real value for our students is how this event ties into our pathways," Remien said. "Students are learning how to work with technology, troubleshoot problems, and adapt as technology continues to evolve."

By combining competition, collaboration, and career exploration, the Jr. Esports Tournament highlights Cherry Creek Schools’ commitment to career-connected learning. Whether students are behind the controller, the camera, or the microphone, they are discovering their Pathway of Purpose and seeing how their interests can lead to meaningful opportunities now and in the future.