Gaming gives San Diego students a voice at Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – Gaming is helping some San Diego students overcome adversity—and now they’re getting the rare chance to share that journey on one of Comic-Con’s stages.

“My favorite games I like to play personally while I’m competing is Super Smash Bros,” said high school sophomore, Jessica Gonzalez.

For Gonzalez, her love of gaming isn’t just a hobby. She’s part of the seven-member esports team at Monarch School in Barrio Logan.

Competing against other schools means practicing once a week at the San Diego County Office of Education’s Linda Vista Innovation Center.

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“Whether it be attendance, grades, finding a community, finding friendships,” said Education Technology Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Education, Christopher Garcia while speaking on the benefits of youth gaming competitions.

As coach of the team, Garcia has a window into the struggles some students carry with them every day. Monarch School supports families who’ve experienced homelessness.

“Being able to have a community where they can come and feel safe, where they can find mentorship, where they can find guidance–that’s what our esports club does,” Garcia continued.

Before joining the team, Gonzalez said she remembered feeling isolated. She said, “I was really having attendance problems on showing up to school and not really having any motivation or any reason to really want to come to school.”

However, over the last year there’s been a shift. “When I did start showing up more and I did start getting along with everyone, it brought out a better side of myself than what I was previously,” said Gonzalez.

She and some of her teammates will share their stories at one of Comic-Con’s educational panels Friday at the San Diego Central Library from from 5 to 6 p.m.

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