Students from Joan Hoffman’s 3D Modeling, Animation, and Game Art class at A.C. Reynolds High School stepped onto the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA) campus with excitement buzzing among them. They got an inside look at UNCA’s Esports and Video Game Design programs - a glimpse into the future they’ve dreamed about.
When the high schoolers stepped in the high-tech Esports stadium, they saw rows of sleek computers equipped with powerful graphics cards, glowing keyboards, and other state of the art equipment. Not only did they watch the college students in a live match, but they also learned the process of making a game come to life.
“Our visit to the new UNCA esports program was great. Students had so much fun learning about opportunities to attend UNC Asheville, how to try out for their Esports teams and attend summer programs on campus,” Ms. Hoffman said. “The students were excited to see their CTE course’s next steps at the college level. It's evident that this industry is not only about entertainment but also offers promising career prospects.”
By the end of the tour, the high schoolers were already talking about their own game ideas and future plans. Some imagined themselves designing characters, while others saw a future in coding or competitive gaming.
