Teenagers are often characterized by their use of video games, cell phones and social media. In fact, one study found that the average teenager spends more than an hour every day on computer or console games. 

While many parents see the rise of video game popularity as a negative, esports have risen in popularity, with viewership numbers only topped by the NFL. 

“I think the reason why esports in schools is getting such a boost right now is because of the STEM connection,” says Amy Gilchrist, director of auxiliary programs at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas. “We really want to prepare students for the future where they’re comfortable with the technology they’re using in their classes, and this is just an expansion on that.”

The Ursuline Academy of Dallas started its first esports team this year. A member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools league for high school competitions, the Gaming Bears came into the season as the only all-girls team, including several team members who had never played the game. 

Because the team currently consists of four students, they can only play one of the three games available in the TAPPS program. The Gaming Bears play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with a three-person team. Larger teams in the TAPPS league can play League of Legends and Rocket League.

This year’s Gaming Bears team consisted of juniors Crystal Cantu and Julissa Guardado, sophomore Alice Adam and freshman Emma Gomar. Juniors Audrey Riskey and Channing Croft play recreationally with the team but do not compete. 

Before this season, Ursuline had a gaming club for several years but hadn’t gotten into competitive play. When the coaches found out that TAPPS had an esports program, the coaches gathered a group of interested students to try it out. 

“What got me into esports was that I was always competitive with my older brother when we played games at home,” says Alice Adam, who plays as Nintendo character Little Mac. “Then I heard about the gaming club at Ursuline, so I joined that.”

Some of the girls, such as Crystal Cantu, had never played the game before joining the team. 

“It seemed really fun, and it gave me an opportunity to try new things,” says Cantu, who plays the character of Link. “I didn’t realize the whole strategy that went into playing video games. It definitely is a sport. I thought people would just click random buttons, but there’s definitely a strategy behind it.”

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, teams of three go head-to-head in a 1v1 format where each player’s character attempts to knock the other off the stage. Each player chooses from a pool of over 70 fighters, which consists of characters from popular Ninetindo games such as Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong or The Legend of Zelda. 

“Through this inaugural season, our players have grown in their confidence, risk-taking, technical skills and strategic thinking,” Gilchrist says. “As the only all-girls team in the league, we are often competing against players with years of intensive gaming experience. Our UA Gaming Bears have learned to successfully compete head-to-head against more experienced teams.”

Ursuline lost to the Nolan Catholic High School Freshman Team 0-4 in Week 1. The following weeks were much of the same, with 0-4 losses to St. John XXII College Preparatory, Cornerstone Christian School “One Punch Mario,” the Northland Christian School Cougars and Cornerstone Christian School “Bowser Bash.”

Even after weeks of consistent losses, the girls were not defeated. This was their first season, and they were just getting used to their characters. 

“I was really delighted in seeing the girls go from a very basic understanding of the game and the characters to really excelling in the skills,” esports coach and service coordinator Gabi Merani says. “You can see the dedication of the academia in this even though it’s a video game.”

During Week 7, the Gaming Bears gave the Greenville Christian School “Men In Pink” a tough match, losing 2-4. In the final game of the regular season, the Gaming Bears pulled their first win, beating Nolan Catholic High School’s “Sudden Death Survivors” 4-2. 

The Gaming Bears finished the regular season in 33rd place out of 37 teams, beating out Eagle Christian Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Holy Cross High School and Athens Christian Preparatory School. 

Though the season is over, the girls will still meet monthly until the end of the school year. Gilchrist says they’ve built their skills and developed an assertiveness.

“It’s everybody supports everybody,” she says.