Question
In her article for the Illinois-based newspaper Daily Herald, Patricia Babcock McGraw focused on some parents’ concerns about paying for their children’s college education. “[W]e’ve been worrying about our kids’ health, safety, and well-being since the day they were born,” she said, “which is about how long we’ve been worrying about college.” Not all students go to college, but for those who do, scholarships can help pay for costs like classes, books, and housing.McGraw suggested that many parents whose children plan to go to college secretly hope that their child might be lucky enough to earn an athletic scholarship. Experts advise that luck has little to do with obtaining a scholarship. For ultimate success, students must plan in advance, starting from the ninth grade or before. To obtain an athletic scholarship, kids must focus on both their sport and their education. Plus, to have the greatest success, students should attend college games or matches to meet coaches and players.In short, obtaining an athletic scholarship represents a huge commitment on the part of a family. As an alternative to such a scholarship, a student could instead strive for a scholarship earned for playing esports: video games. Scholarships for playing electronic sports started around 2014. Today, video game players may earn college money by playing real-timestrategy games, fighting games, sports games, first person games, or multiplayer games. A skilled high school esports player may be offered a place on a college esports team along with a scholarship.Is awarding college money for playing video games a smart move? There are risks associated with esports. One such risk is known as “gaming disorder.” This mental health issue happens when game players prioritize game play over other activities and interests. Those with gaming disorder may skip meals, become antisocial, and lose interest in work or school. The results can be life altering for those who don’t get help. Relationships may suffer, grades may fail, and if that’s the case – any esports scholarship could be lost. Does it make good sense to offer money for something that is potentially harmful?Is awarding college money for playing video games a smart move? There are risks associated with esports. One such risk is known as “gaming disorder.” This mental health issue happens when game players prioritize game play over other activities and interests. Those with gaming disorder may skip meals, become antisocial, and lose interest in work or school. The results can be life altering for those who don’t get help. Relationships may suffer, grades may fail, and if that’s the case – any esports scholarship could be lost. Does it make good sense to offer money for something that is potentially harmful?The National Marbles Tournament offers a chance for marble shooters, or mibsters, to earn money for college. The group has awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to winners of the game. Zombie fans may earn college money by submitting an essay for the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship. Entrants must submit a plan to stay alive in a high school or college overrun with zombies.Considering the wide array of scholarships available, esports may not be so far “outside the box.” But does that make it a good idea – or just another bad one?
PASSAGE 2
Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri has an esports team. In a September 2019 article for the NBC News website, Brian Seto McGrath described how esports—electronic sports—became an important activity at Francis Howell. Kris Miller, the school’s guidance counselor, was visiting a college in 2018 when he saw the college esports facility. Miller decided that his high school should start an esports team, too. In time, Miller invited college coaches to meet the new esports team. Two of the students were invited to play at a university tournament for a game called Overwatch. Later, they were offered $100,000 in scholarships by the university.“If colleges are offering scholarships,” Miller said, “our kids should be competing for them.” Many parents became enthusiastic about high school esports when they realized that their child may be able to obtain money for college. Physical education teachers were less excited. They questioned whether esports are really athletics and should be eligible for scholarships. Esports promoters point out that, like traditional sports, esports rely upon reflexes, strategy, skilled execution, and teamwork.There can be injuries from athletics, of course, and the same is true for esports. Gripping a controller for hours a day can lead to joint pain in the fingers and hands. Repetitive movements can cause inflammation in tendons. Staring at a screen for hours on end may cause eye strain. Football players would likely say that these injuries pale in comparison to what they experience, from bruises and broken bones to concussions.There are some who believe that students who focus on gaming may develop unhealthy habits. Unlike traditional sports, esports require players to stay in one place without much movement. This can be unhealthy at best and cause blood clots at the most extreme level.Video game scholarships are not just for game players, it turns out. Many schools offer tuition support for students who are interested in game design. For example, the New York University Game Center created a scholarship with EVO, the longest-running fighting game contest. The program supports students who want to study game design at the university. The Entertainment Software Association Foundation and the National Videogame Museum also offer financial aid for students interested in game arts. The awards are open to high school students who want to pursue a career in game design.For technology-minded students, video game scholarships offer a chance to get paid to play, just like students who play traditional sports.
PASSAGE 2
Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri has an esports team. In a September 2019 article for the NBC News website, Brian Seto McGrath described how esports—electronic sports—became an important activity at Francis Howell. Kris Miller, the school’s guidance counselor, was visiting a college in 2018 when he saw the college esports facility. Miller decided that his high school should start an esports team, too. In time, Miller invited college coaches to meet the new esports team. Two of the students were invited to play at a university tournament for a game called Overwatch. Later, they were offered $100,000 in scholarships by the university.“If colleges are offering scholarships,” Miller said, “our kids should be competing for them.” Many parents became enthusiastic about high school esports when they realized that their child may be able to obtain money for college. Physical education teachers were less excited. They questioned whether esports are really athletics and should be eligible for scholarships. Esports promoters point out that, like traditional sports, esports rely upon reflexes, strategy, skilled execution, and teamwork.There can be injuries from athletics, of course, and the same is true for esports. Gripping a controller for hours a day can lead to joint pain in the fingers and hands. Repetitive movements can cause inflammation in tendons. Staring at a screen for hours on end may cause eye strain. Football players would likely say that these injuries pale in comparison to what they experience, from bruises and broken bones to concussions.There are some who believe that students who focus on gaming may develop unhealthy habits. Unlike traditional sports, esports require players to stay in one place without much movement. This can be unhealthy at best and cause blood clots at the most extreme level.Video game scholarships are not just for game players, it turns out. Many schools offer tuition support for students who are interested in game design. For example, the New York University Game Center created a scholarship with EVO, the longest-running fighting game contest. The program supports students who want to study game design at the university. The Entertainment Software Association Foundation and the National Videogame Museum also offer financial aid for students interested in game arts. The awards are open to high school students who want to pursue a career in game design.For technology-minded students, video game scholarships offer a chance to get paid to play, just like students who play traditional sports.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The debates surrounding esports scholarships are multifaceted, encompassing both the potential benefits and risks associated with supporting video gaming as an athletic endeavor. As the articles by Patricia Babcock McGraw and Brian Seto McGrath illustrate, esports can serve as a pathway to college funding for talented players, while also raising valid concerns about health and lifestyle choices.
On one hand, esports scholarships can provide significant financial assistance for students, just as traditional sports scholarships do. Teams like the one at Francis Howell Central High School have demonstrated the tangible opportunities that arise from competitive gaming, including substantial offers from universities for talented players. This access to funding can alleviate some of the financial burdens families face regarding college education, as shown by the positive response from parents who see the college opportunities for their children in esports.
Nevertheless, there are contrasting viewpoints regarding the nature of esports as a legitimate athletic pursuit. Critics point out that traditional athletic activities promote physical fitness and encourage teamwork in a different manner than esports, which may involve prolonged periods of inactivity and could contribute to health issues such as gaming disorder. Concerns about physical injuries associated with gaming and the sedentary lifestyle it promotes have also been raised, suggesting that the criteria for determining “athleticism” and health benefits differ significantly between esports and traditional sports.
Moreover, the risk of unhealthy habits associated with excessive gaming cannot be overlooked. Instances of individuals developing a gaming disorder highlight the importance of promoting a balanced approach to gaming, ensuring that the pursuit of scholarships does not come at the expense of students’ overall well-being and academic performance.
As evidenced by various scholarship programs that extend beyond traditional gaming, such as those focused on game design, there exists an opportunity for students to engage with video games in a productive and educational manner. This indicates a broader recognition of video gaming as a legitimate field of study and career path, complementing the discussions on esports.
Ultimately, while esports scholarships may open doors for students seeking financial assistance for college, the complexities surrounding gaming’s impact on health and lifestyle call for a responsible approach. Balancing support for esports with necessary safeguards and promoting healthier gaming habits will be crucial in determining whether such scholarships represent a smart move in the landscape of college funding.
On one hand, esports scholarships can provide significant financial assistance for students, just as traditional sports scholarships do. Teams like the one at Francis Howell Central High School have demonstrated the tangible opportunities that arise from competitive gaming, including substantial offers from universities for talented players. This access to funding can alleviate some of the financial burdens families face regarding college education, as shown by the positive response from parents who see the college opportunities for their children in esports.
Nevertheless, there are contrasting viewpoints regarding the nature of esports as a legitimate athletic pursuit. Critics point out that traditional athletic activities promote physical fitness and encourage teamwork in a different manner than esports, which may involve prolonged periods of inactivity and could contribute to health issues such as gaming disorder. Concerns about physical injuries associated with gaming and the sedentary lifestyle it promotes have also been raised, suggesting that the criteria for determining “athleticism” and health benefits differ significantly between esports and traditional sports.
Moreover, the risk of unhealthy habits associated with excessive gaming cannot be overlooked. Instances of individuals developing a gaming disorder highlight the importance of promoting a balanced approach to gaming, ensuring that the pursuit of scholarships does not come at the expense of students’ overall well-being and academic performance.
As evidenced by various scholarship programs that extend beyond traditional gaming, such as those focused on game design, there exists an opportunity for students to engage with video games in a productive and educational manner. This indicates a broader recognition of video gaming as a legitimate field of study and career path, complementing the discussions on esports.
Ultimately, while esports scholarships may open doors for students seeking financial assistance for college, the complexities surrounding gaming’s impact on health and lifestyle call for a responsible approach. Balancing support for esports with necessary safeguards and promoting healthier gaming habits will be crucial in determining whether such scholarships represent a smart move in the landscape of college funding.