Courtesy Photo Members of the Pied Piper Esports team, Dakota Rouleau, Lilly Snyder, Andrew Bruski, Keegan Schuh, Garrett Card, Kobe Barr, and coach Ashlie O’Connor, pose for a photo.

The Pied Piper Esports team is gearing up for an exciting second season, joining forces with Alcona Community Schools and Alpena Public Schools to compete in the unified Michigan Scholastic High School Esports League (MSHEL), a recent press release from the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Education Service District said.

The season officially kicks off on Wednesday and will run for nine weeks, with potential playoffs to follow.

This year, six Pied Piper students will represent the school in Mario Kart, competing with students from Alcona and Alpena.

The partnership provides students with an inclusive and competitive environment, promoting teamwork, strategy, and digital literacy while fostering friendships across districts.

“We are thrilled to continue growing our esports program,” said Ashlie O’Connor, Pied Piper esports coach. “Esports is more than just gaming–it’s about developing problem-solving skills, collaboration, and sportsmanship.”

The unified MSHEL season highlights the increasing role of esports in education, demonstrating its value in providing equitable opportunities for students of all abilities.

As the season unfolds, fans and supporters are encouraged to follow along and cheer for the Pied Piper team. Updates, match highlights, and playoff standings will be shared through Pied Piper School’s Twitch channel and the AMA ESD’s social media page.