In 2019, CTE teacher Nathan Krahn wanted to create a Dungeon and Dragons club while math teacher Ivan Sanidad wanted to create an Anime club. To save time and energy, they decided to combine their common interests. The Gaming and Anime Club takes place in Sanidad’s classroom after school, during lunch, and on the weekends. They play a wide variety of games, such as “Super Smash Bros.,” “Mario Kart,” chess, and “The Oregon Trail.” Monitors are set up throughout the classroom, with four to five game controllers at each monitor.
Gaming and Anime Club President Riley Allen (11) said, “My favorite thing about the anime club is the fact that people actually come. Last year we didn’t have a lot; we’d get a bunch of people on the first day, and then the next week there would be none. A lot of people stayed this time, which was really nice.”
Allen was elected president by his peers; they all came to an agreement that he was best suited since he was already the team captain of the eSports team. As president, he’s responsible for testing games, setting up activities, and regulating the volume of club attendees.
Sanidad said, “We consider Riley to be the best.”
Esports are competitive video game tournaments that can be competed in teams or individually. Esports are run by different programs, like Vanta and PlayVerse, two youth eSports platforms used by the club. PlayVerse is the recommended varsity vendor, as suggested by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA). HHSAA runs video game competitions as well as traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, track and field, and cheerleading. Typically, the tournaments are online, and the championships are held in person. In Hawaii, games start at 4 p.m., but players must check in by 3 p.m. Altogether, per student, season, and title, the average fee is $80.
There are currently three teams for Super Smash Bros., two being varsity and one being junior varsity. The teams are divided by skill level. First, members congregate in Sanidad’s room to gather their essentials for the match, like controllers, snacks, and drinks. Once well adjusted, they look over their assigned schedule and begin the online matches. If away, they join the online arena that the home team has set up.
On the front of Sanidad’s door is a laminated sign detailing the events taking place each day of the week. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are video game free play; Wednesdays are for board games and meetings; and Fridays are for watching or participating in activities revolving around anime.
If interested, students can go to room 233 and pick up a form from Sanidad. There are additional forms to play Dungeon and Dragons on the weekends.