ST. LOUIS — Picture this: The Dome at America's Center packed with 20,000 screaming fans. Elite teams battling for a world championship. Millions more watching online. Prize pools in the millions. This wasn't the Super Bowl or the World Series—this was the 2019 League of Legends World Finals, and it changed everything for students at Confluence Academies.
When Confluence staff noticed the massive gaming tournament happening practically in their backyard, they discovered a world of competitive high school Esports—and a golden opportunity for their students. By January 2020, Confluence Preparatory Academy launched its own Esports program. Chelsea Arnett stepped up as coach and General Manager, kicking off the first season in August 2020 with about 10 students competing virtually during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Today, the program has doubled in size to 20-25 students. More importantly, it's delivering something few expected: real scholarships, legitimate career pathways, and skills that translate directly to the modern workplace.
The Payoff Is Real
CPA's entire Overwatch team was offered $20,000 scholarships—each—to compete for Midland University. One student earned a shoutcasting scholarship, combining sports commentary skills with gaming expertise. For senior Demitrus Bennett, what started casually has become his ticket to the future.
"The reason I decided to join the Esports team was because my friends were in there and it was just something to do," Demitrus admits. "But fast forward to my senior year, I'm still in this and I'm here to stay. I have obtained Esports scholarships because of how well I've performed, and it opens up my path to whatever I'd like to do for my future."
"Missouri has one of the more active high school and college Esports programs, which means our students have a lot of options," Arnett explains. "Many universities are recruiting players for specific games like Overwatch and Valorant, but they also recruit for student coaches, managers, and shoutcasters."
More Than Just Playing Games
Orlando Sharpe, Tech & Innovation Coach at GO! Sharpe, explains why Esports matters beyond the screen. "Competitive gaming mimics many of the skill-building found in other extra-curricular sports and clubs with the addition of the flexibility of digital tools and platforms," he says. Students develop the "4C Skills"—communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity—that educators and employers prize.
Demitrus has felt the difference firsthand. "The skills I have learned has been having good communication, synergy, and boosting team spirits. It's helped me better my communication because I have to tell them what I am going to do and when I do it. I have to critically think about what will work for the team."
The competitive nature builds resilience too. "As you play more and more against other teams, you'll kinda make a rivalry with some teams," he notes. "Whether you win or lose, it'll always be competitive in some type of way."
An Industry Exploding with Opportunities
For those who think Esports is just kids gaming in basements, the numbers tell a different story. The industry has exploded into a multibillion-dollar ecosystem with career opportunities most people never imagine.
"I would say zoom out and think of it like other competitive sports in terms of structure, roles, business," Sharpe suggests. "While players and games sit at the center, there are so many ways to connect the supporting network of careers and learning experiences."
Beyond professional gaming, there are jobs in tech, production, marketing, event logistics, and data analytics. "A couple of interesting opportunities are Venue and Event Manager and Wellness and Performance Coach," Sharpe notes. "Managing tournament logistics, setup, and operations is a solid entry-level opportunity with a strong upside since the skillset is needed across many industries."
Arnett emphasizes the breadth of opportunities. "There are jobs that require Esports knowledge, like being a tournament organizer or a shoutcaster. There are also amateur and professional Esports teams" that need entire support staffs.
The Future Is Now
The Esports industry has created what Sharpe calls "hybrid roles" that blend gaming, entertainment, social media, technology, hardware, and marketing. "This intersection of industry opportunities is pushing innovation in education as schools—K-12 and colleges—are now offering Esports programs and pathways that lead to formal careers."
"Many careers now require a certain level of digital fluency in tech hardware/software and data analytics, which Esports can provide a practical, engaging introduction," Sharpe explains. Students learn how networks and streaming work, how to record and edit content, and how to organize tournaments and events—all skills that translate to real careers.
For CPA students, the program represents more than competition—it's about opening doors to futures they might not have otherwise imagined. What started as a response to a tournament down the street has become a launchpad for scholarships, careers, and opportunities in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
Sharpe's advice? "Get Familiar, Get Active, Get in the Game!"
The students at Confluence Preparatory Academy already have.