Boulter Middle School was buzzing with excitement and energy as it hosted the Kickoff II eSports Competition, marking a significant milestone in its journey into the world of competitive gaming. This year’s competition was particularly special, as it celebrated the launch of the Level Up Legends: Project eSports Grant from the Tyler ISD Foundation, bringing the thrill of esports right into Boulter’s own campus. Ms. Whyte, the campus Librarian/MTS and Mrs. Vestal-Cook, 6th grade RLA teacher, were inspired to write the grant by the excitement of last year’s debut at UT Tyler, as a result of the grant, this second annual event signaled a powerful new chapter for the school’s growing esports program.
Ms. Whyte and Mrs. Vestal-Cook have collaborated for the past 3 years in starting some valuable traditions at Boulter Middle School. After seeing a love for chess in her students, Ms. Vestal-Cook, a collegiate chess player, approached Ms. Whyte with a dream to hold a campus wide chess tournament and the next spring, they made it happen! This year, Boulter hosted a district wide middle school chess tournament and it was a huge success. As Mrs. Vestal-Cook leaves Tyler ISD after being a visiting international teacher, and Ms. Whyte moves to Tyler high school, they have left a legacy behind!
For this year's KickOff II eSports Competition, forty qualifiers, representing all grade levels, earned their spot in the tournament by meeting key academic and behavioral expectations—specifically, no failing grades and no referrals during the fourth nine weeks. Their dedication to both academics and teamwork was rewarded with a full day of high-energy gaming, school pride, and unforgettable memories. One student summed it up perfectly, saying, “I enjoyed this day so much.”
High-Stakes Gaming, High Spirits All Around
The competition was divided into three main brackets: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. 3v3, and Super Smash Bros. 1v1. Students cheered each other on as they raced and battled their way to the top. The energy was contagious, with every match filled with momentum and school spirit.
🎮 Mario Kart Winners:
Champion: Angel Ponce
2nd Place: Jose Andrade
3rd Place: Julian Garza
4th Place: Corice Weaver
5th Place: Michael Taylor
🕹️ Super Smash Bros. 3v3 Winners:
Champion Team – Phantom Striker: Edgar Castaneda, Joel Blas, Alejandro Ramirez
2nd Place – Los Gallos Finos: Jose Andrade, David Garcia, Angel Palasios
3rd Place – The Rage of Spartan: Zakharrian Moore, Jose Garcia, Juan Zavala
💥 Super Smash Bros. 1v1 Winners:
Champion: Victor Camacho
2nd Place: Isaac Hernandez
3rd Place: Adrian Zavala
4th Place: Jose Andrade
5th Place: Julian Garza
All winners received trophies, medals, and gift cards, while every participant proudly walked away with a certificate recognizing their participation and achievement.
Student Leadership in Action
One of the highlights of Kickoff II was its strong student-led foundation. From setup to scorekeeping, a dedicated group of student leaders made the event possible. Special shoutouts go to Kevin Teran, Yordan Hernandez, Kimberly Leon, Victor Camacho, Allen Zavala, Julian Garza, and Joselynn Cuarenta for their leadership and commitment to excellence.
A Community Effort
Thanks to the Tyler ISD Foundation, Boulter now proudly owns its own Nintendo Switch consoles—empowering students with access to technology and the growing world of esports.
We also express heartfelt thanks to Tyler Trophy for the beautifully crafted trophies and medals that made the event even more special.
Grateful for Our Sponsors
A special thank you goes out to the generous sponsors who supported Kickoff II:
Ms. Kourtney Ratcliff
Bobaloompia
Andy's Frozen Custard
Mr. and Mrs. Clint Holley
Mr. Jonathan Cook
Mr. Justin Simmons
Your contributions brought joy and opportunity to our students, and we are incredibly grateful.
Thank you to Ms. Kristen Miller, Asst. Principal, who always helps, to Mr. Mosley, and Mr. Rios for helping us understand the games and for the support of the staff at Boulter!
Kickoff II was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of student achievement, teamwork, and the growing intersection of education and technology. With the momentum building from this year’s success, the future of esports at Boulter Middle School looks brighter than ever.
