News
Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.”
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
After counting more than 4,000 votes cast, a North Carolina high school has been named the winner of an esports lab contest led by Brightspeed and Stay Plugged In.
The contest, which saw competition from more than 50 schools, included weeks of public voting.
As a result of the victory, the school will receive a new STEM and esports lab, with completion expected in time for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, according to Brightspeed.
Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.” Courtesy photo/ Brightspeed
In announcing the school’s victory, Brightspeed said the school’s “bold vision for innovation, technology and hands-on learning was evident in their AI Lab submission during the contest.”
Rick Suarez, a managing director at Stay Plugged In, said the achievement represents more than just winning a contest.
“It is about celebrating students, community, and the future,” Suarez said. “In partnership with Brightspeed, we’re thrilled to help open the doors to opportunity, where technology, education and gaming intersect.”
Stay Plugged In, established in 2020, is described as a leading esports recruiting platform in the U.S., a summary of the organization stated.
‘An incredible honor’
Marshall Jones, the principal of Triton High School, also offered comment in Brightspeed’s announcement.
Jones called it “an incredible honor for our school.”
“Winning is the result of being elevated by our community, family, friends, and school,” Jones also said. “This is an opportunity to bring the future of education to our community for generations to come.”
According to Brightspeed, the initiative invited schools across the company’s North Carolina footprint to compete.
Sabrina Anderson, a local marketing manager at Brightspeed, said the North Carolina-based ISP believes access is the gateway to oppertuinity.
“We’re proud to support an organization like Stay Plugged In, because its mission is similar to our own: investing in communities, creating opportunities and empowering people with access to critical resources,” Anderson said.
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