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Mount Vernon High School unveils new esports room

Student pointing at computer.
Mount Vernon High School unveils new esports room

Students booteed up their computers and loaded their games in the new esports room during the grand opening ceremony on Thursday, February 13, 2025, preparing for the inaugural season for the Mount Vernon High School Esports Club.

The room is complete with 12 monitors and screens, as well as gaming chairs and couches for gamers to sit comfortably while playing. Principal Dr. Pauline Pearce shared her appreciation for those who made the room possible during the ceremony. She also shared words of encouragement to students who are a part of the new club.

“I want to thank the students in the room. You are the pioneers and you are setting the pace for all the other students to come,” said Dr. Pearce. “Here is your space; I hope you treat the space with respect. Of course, there are standards to use the space, and we expect you to model those standards. The room is yours – have fun!”

For this year, the team will focus on building their repertoire and crafting their skills before they start competing with other schools in the area. They are currently recruiting students and seeing which games students are drawn to the most. A couple of games students can choose from are Fortnite, League of Legends and Marvel Rivals.

“It’s been pretty cool…” said McKale Green, a senior at MVHS about the esports room and club. “It’s going to be a great opportunity, especially since we already have an esports team at STEAM. We can have more of a widespread, collaborative gaming community at MVHS.”

A requirement to be a part of the team is to maintain grades and attendance in class. Club Advisor Mark Murray ensures that all students put their academics first before extracurricular activities. This helps students work on their time management and prioritizing skills.

Unveiling of esports room.
Student pointing at computer while advisor helps troubleshoot.

 

Hospitality Management program approved by NYSED as graduation pathway for five years
Hospitality Management program approved by NYSED as graduation pathway for five years

In just its second year as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, the Hospitality Management program at Mount Vernon High School was approved as a graduation pathway by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The approval, effective for the 2026-2027 school year and lasting five years, allows students to receive technical endorsements for the hospitality industry after completing the program and taking the state-approved exams. 

Culinary students at MVHS bake pies for competition fundraiser and donations
Culinary students at MVHS bake pies for competition fundraiser and donations

Students in the Culinary Arts 3 class at Mount Vernon High School have been putting their skills to use to bake pies for their competition fundraiser, with any pies that they don't sell being donated to local organizations ahead of Thanksgiving! Students are raising money for the New York State Restaurant Association ProStart Invitational at the Culinary Institute of America in February. 

Shining Knights: MVHS senior Matthew Taylor
Shining Knights: MVHS senior Matthew Taylor

When Matthew Taylor arrived in Mount Vernon in 2023, he was a 15-year-old newcomer from Saint Catherine Parish in Jamaica and was unsure of what life in an American school would be like. In his native country, his average grade was a tad above 66. But within months at MVHS, the International Baccalaureate course candidate raised it to an impressive 85 and has stayed on the honor roll ever since.