eSports teams compete from home
Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 17, 2020
With two substitutes filling in for absent players, senior Joseph Lindstrom said he was satisfied with the team's play at the online-championship that resulted in a loss against Wayzata in the inaugural season of Minnesota Varsity League. “It was just difficult because we had two people that were sub...
eSports holds meeting in preparation for spring season
Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 9, 2020
Just like in athletic sports, eSports coach Jake Utities said the tenets of collaboration, perseverance and friendship are also key to eSports. “This program gives an opportunity for those that are typically not celebrated at the school to have that opportunity, to give them that ability to b...
eSports adviser helps create Minnesota league
December 9, 2019
eSports adviser Jacob Utities said he’s feeling very confident so far this year because of the opportunities given to new players and how eSports is continuing to grow in numbers. “I’m really looking forward to a lot more opportunities for both my teams and all the high schools in the area t...
Former teacher returns as eSports adviser
Zuhayb Yassin
October 22, 2019
Jacob Utities, a teacher that used to work at Park said there’s no difference between being a teacher and eSports adviser because he is still mentoring students. “It gives me more time to help kids do what they love, and that is video games. [As well as] getting them to the next level by do...
eSports virtual game makes real world cash
March 12, 2019
According to the coach of the eSports program Jacob Utites, eSports is involved in the college process. “We have college recruiters coming in and offering scholarships to students for college,” Utites said. “We have also had some students win scholarships by playing in high school; Our ...
Participation in eSports grows
December 4, 2018
According to senior Jeremy Frham “Overwatch” requires quite a lot of skill in order to succeed at gameplay. “‘Overwatch’ is a team based strategy game,” Frham said. “It takes a lot of coordination and knowledge of the game to fully understand it.” Head coach of the Esports program...
eSports adviser prepares players for future
February 20, 2018
According to coach Jacob Utities, Park’s eSports team will play online in Nationals in June after an undefeated season. However, Utities said he still struggles with managing and expanding team. “I can’t really devote much time to each team because there are nine teams, and I am one person,...
Meet the athlete: Graham Campbell
February 6, 2018
How did you get involved with eSports in the first place? And when did you get involved? “I play video games at home and I am in a class with Mr. Utites and he told (his students) about this idea of doing competitive video gaming for a certain game we play and I was like ‘yes.’ How has eSports...
eSports moves on to nationals
December 20, 2017
As sophomore Joseph Lindstrom’s Overwatch team launched to victory, he said he felt proud of his achievement. “I’m just having a good time with my team and getting that feeling we are united. (We are) good at the game, the team can play well, we feel that we matter, we’re at a high position.” ...
eSports team created
November 16, 2017
When eSports team adviser Jacob Utities heard of other schools that were participating in competitive video gaming, he decided to bring it to Park. “I came up with it last year, I heard another school had a ‘League of Legends’ team, so then I was going to put it together and turns out there is...
Maggie Klaers and Molly Schochet
One month after the death of George Floyd, Park students continue to participate in Black Lives Matter protests. Rising junior Ezra Hudson said he came to the June 25 protest to continue to work toward...
Graduating senior Emma Roloff said the social-distancing style graduation ceremony felt strange to her, though only due to the unique set up of the event. "I can't really describe the feeling. It's...
Keeping with tradition, Echowan announced in the 6425 News it would distribute yearbooks June 25-26, but with safety precautions in place. Senior Rakesh Plantz said he is happy Echowan could keep the yearbook...
