Klein Forest Junior to Serve on National High School Esports Panel

If there is one thing Klein Forest junior Maya Vazquez loves, it’s Roblox. Her passion for playing the game and her love for esports has earned her a coveted position on the PlayVS Insider Panel, the national esports league. 

Maya is one of 10 high school students across the U.S. and Canada who will participate on the panel. This designation comes with a $500 scholarship that she can use towards her education.

“This scholarship means so much to me as I want to be the first member of my family to attend college,” Maya said. “I would like to attend Texas A&M University and study Computer Engineering just like my favorite teacher, Mr. Duran!”

Maya exclusively plays Roblox, and while the game is not considered an esports title, she is still an active member of the esports community. Maya is the manager of her school’s esports team, handling communications with their opponents. Her work within the esports community allows her to bring a unique perspective to the panel. 

“I feel so honored to be recognized for my work with competitive teams within the league,” Maya said. “This opportunity allows me to represent my fellow members in PlayVS, become further involved with the esports industry, and help bring attention to all of the accomplishments we have made as a club.”

PlayVS is a platform that hosts Esports leagues and allows them to track performance, communicate with opponents, and record match results. As a member of the panel, Maya will advocate for high school esports players and participate in user design and experience research from Spring 2024 through Fall 2024. 

“We will conduct testing and provide necessary feedback to improve the PlayVS platform and service,” Maya said. “Outside of the user testing, we will also gain insight into the design and development process for a technology company in an emerging field and have opportunities to network with additional PlayVS staff in a subject area of our interest.”

Maya has been on her school’s esports team for a year. She finds true joy in the community and considers her teammates some of her closest friends. 

“It is so much fun to learn about the different games and watch our teams show off their skills in the competitive matches,” Maya said. “This environment has encouraged me to run for office as club president for the upcoming year as I wish to grow the club and meet even more people!”

Mr. Juan Duran is a computer science teacher at Klein Forest. He introduced Maya to the world of esports at the school and suggested that she consider being part of the PlayVS panel. 

“I am so proud of Maya for her remarkable achievement of being selected for the PlayVS Insider Panel. This recognition is a testament to her dedication, talent, and passion to explore,” Mr. Duran said. “As I see her embark on this journey, I'm filled with excitement, knowing that she will not only excel but also thrive in the dynamic esports industry.” 

Maya was a frequent visitor in Mr. Duran’s classroom in her freshman year of high school, and she credits him for the impact he has made in her high school journey.

“His classroom is a safe place for me to recharge for the day and learn about computer science. In the esports lab, he creates an inclusive community for all students, regardless of whether they are competitors, members, or just visitors,” Maya said. “He has always been there to support my endeavors both in the classroom and beyond. I would not have been able to achieve this without him.”

Congratulations, Maya, on this outstanding achievement! We are so proud to have students like you representing Klein ISD at such a prestigious level in so many innovative ways.