During spring of 2023 Marion High School staff Chris Martin and Mike Manderscheid submitted a funded Marion School Foundation grant to start an Esports team at Marion High School. This new club would run through The Iowa High School Esports Association competing in the Fall and the Spring on a Nintendo Switch. This would allow up to 32 students to practice at the same time.
It has been a goal of Activities Director Mr. Manderscheid’s to have all students involved in at least one activity at the high school. In addition, Esports could lead to opportunities at the college level as many colleges have created teams and some even offer scholarships.
In a final grant write-up, Chris Martin reported that the Esports team has been having practices twice a week and will complete in the spring season on MarioKart.
A benefit from this project is that “Students not involved in a school activity are involved in Esports.”
Marion High School was able to establish its Esports program with the help of a grant from The Kernels Foundation.
The Marion Foundation’s grant program provides teachers an opportunity to receive funding for projects that benefit students in the Marion Independent School District. Grants are made possible because of generous contributions the Foundation receives throughout the year from both businesses and individuals as well as a number of educational funds that are invested with the Foundation for long-term benefit.