Pennsylvania
Esports Thrives in Pennsylvania Schools, Building Skills and Community – MyChesCo
HARRISBURG, PA — Esports, the world of competitive video gaming, is rapidly growing and making its mark in schools across Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League (PSEL), led by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, champions this movement. On May 28, PSEL celebrated its 2024 spring State Champions at Harrisburg University.
Esports has evolved from small tournaments into a multibillion-dollar global industry. It attracts millions of viewers and now fosters valuable skills in students. Schools like Downingtown Area School District (DASD) have been pivotal in this growth. Christopher Groff, a DASD teacher, highlighted the positive impact. “Esports in school teaches students that it is an activity where one can be positive, healthy, and respectful. It showcases soft skills like problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and teamwork.”
Students agree. Carter Novelenski, a DASD student, shared his experience. “I have learned to better my communication. Playing required us to coordinate and communicate effectively to win. This has really improved my communication skills.”
The finals day began with a career panel on professional esports opportunities. The championship matches then featured top Pennsylvania middle and high school teams vying for state titles. Owen J. Roberts High School competed in High School Rocket League, and Great Valley High School in High School Chess.
The following schools were crowned PSEL State Champions:
- Middle School Rocket League: Southern Lehigh Middle School
- High School Rocket League: Owen J. Roberts High School
- High School Valorant: Lower Moreland High School
- High School Chess: Great Valley High School
- Middle School Chess: Pine Grove Area Middle School
- Unified Rocket League: Pine Grove Area High School
Despite being less than five years old, these scholastic esports programs already show significant benefits. Students from public, private, charter, and cyber schools across Pennsylvania develop teamwork and perseverance.
Kaiye Obiri from Governor Mifflin School District noted, “Joining the esports team has given me more opportunities to interact with people, make new friends, and enjoy my high school experience.”
Kammas Kersch, director of PSEL and CCIU STEM coordinator, expressed enthusiasm about the future. “The diversity of schools represented shows the boundless potential of scholastic esports. PSEL has seen meteoric growth since our founding in 2020, and we’re excited to see these programs shape students for future success in collegiate esports and professional careers.”
Esports in Pennsylvania schools is not just a game; it’s an opportunity for students to build essential skills and create lasting connections. For more information on the Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League, visit www.pselesports.org.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.
The Pennsylvania Beef Council recently launched the inaugural Pennsylvania Beef Trail with menu tastings at two highlighted trail stops in Berks County.
Held in May to celebrate Beef Month, the event brought together Pennsylvania Beef Council leadership, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, local restaurant partners, beef producers and community members to celebrate Pennsylvania beef, local food businesses and the culinary creativity found across the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Beef Trail highlights restaurants across the state serving standout beef dishes nominated by consumers. Hosted on the Pennsylvania Beef Council website, the trail features an interactive map designed to help Pennsylvanians discover delicious beef dishes by region and plan their own beef-inspired dining experiences.
“The PA Beef Trail is a celebration of everything that makes Pennsylvania beef special: the farmers who raise it, the restaurants that prepare it and the consumers who love it,” Nichole Hockenberry, executive director of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, said in the release.
“Launching the trail during May, which is Beef Month, gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase the connection between agriculture, local businesses, and the meals that bring people together.”
The celebration featured two stops on the trail: Saucony Creek Brewing Company in Kutztown and Deitsch Eck Restaurant in Lenhartsville.
Attendees sampled a variety of featured beef dishes, including pit beef sliders, sausage sandwiches, smoked chuck roast tacos, and Golden Arches flatbread from Saucony Creek Brewing Company, as well as beef pot pie, shepherd’s pie, and The Luther from Deitsch Eck Restaurant.
The launch event also underscored the role of beef in Pennsylvania’s agricultural identity and local economy. By highlighting restaurants that serve creative, consumer-loved beef dishes, the trail encourages residents and visitors to support local businesses while recognizing the farmers and producers behind every plate.
“Pennsylvania beef has a story that stretches from pasture to plate,” Kylie Lusk, director of consumer affairs for the Pennsylvania Beef Council, said in the release. “The PA Beef Trail gives consumers a fun, interactive way to explore that story while discovering restaurants and dishes they may not have tried before. We’re excited to see people use the trail throughout the year to support local restaurants and celebrate beef across the Commonwealth.”
The inaugural PA Beef Trail features 73 stops across Pennsylvania, showcasing a wide variety of dishes, from burgers and brisket to short rib, oxtail ragu and other creative beef-forward menu items. Organized by region, the trail makes it easy for consumers to find nearby stops or plan a road trip around Pennsylvania’s beef destinations.
The Pennsylvania Beef Council encourages consumers to explore the trail, visit participating restaurants, and share their experiences on social media.
To view the interactive map and explore the full PA Beef Trail, visit www.pabeef.org/pa-beef-trail.
President Trump is visiting the Lehigh Valley next week.
Mr. Trump will speak at Mack Trucks in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Tuesday at 2 p.m. Macungie is roughly 10 miles from Allentown.
Mack Trucks is a 1.7 million square-foot facility in Macungie that assembles heavy-duty trucks for North American and export markets, according to its website.
“Mack Trucks are a symbol of America’s manufacturing strength,” Rep. Dan Meuser said in a Facebook post about Mr. Trump’s upcoming visit to Pennsylvania. “Their Lehigh Valley operations are a pillar of the local economy, employing Pennsylvania workers and driving the nation’s trucking industry.”
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Mr. Trump visited Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, multiple times. He’s also visitied during his second term.
In December 2025, Mr. Trump said in a speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, that he was “crushing” inflation and called affordability concerns a “Democratic hoax.”
One week later, Vice President JD Vance aimed to calm the affordability concerns at a Uline facility in Alburtis, about 13 miles southwest of Allentown.
Tickets are available for Mr. Trump’s visit to Macungie next week on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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