The sound of controllers clicking, cheers from the crowd, and the hum of food trucks filled the air at Forest Park Middle School as students, parents, and educators gathered for the Forest Park Lobo Gaming Expo—a one-of-a-kind event that blended Esports competition with interactive learning opportunities for the entire family.
The district-wide expo featured a Super Smash Bros. tournament for students from across Longview ISD, while their parents participated in breakout sessions introducing them to Forest Park’s dynamic magnet offerings in digital arts and technology.
Adding professional flair to the event, Texas Gaming Empire, an Esports production group based in San Antonio, partnered with Longview ISD to manage and operate the tournament setup, bringing high-quality gaming equipment, screens, and tournament-style organization to the school gym.
“This event goes beyond gaming—it’s about building a bridge between student interests and academic innovation,” said Dr. Krystal Christenson, Assistant Magnet Director/MSAP. “We’re showing families how Esports, video production, AI, and audio engineering can spark student engagement and lead to real-world careers.”
The event was designed as an introduction for families who are considering Forest Park as their future middle school or for those already at the campus, to discover a new program. Parents attended five breakout sessions covering topics like Artificial Intelligence, Video Production, Audio Production, Game Development, and an overview of the campus’s magnet programs. Meanwhile, their children competed head-to-head in the professionally organized gaming tournament.
“We’re not just showing off what our students can do—we’re giving parents a seat at the table,” said Jeremy Stout, Longview ISD’s Digital Media & Graphic Arts Coordinator. “By engaging parents in sessions while their kids are actively playing and learning, we’re creating a shared vision for what education can look like.”
To encourage participation, families had the chance to win prizes during both the gaming competition and the parent breakout sessions. The festive atmosphere was complemented by local food trucks and Kona Ice, creating a community-focused experience that brought together technology, creativity, and family fun.
“At Forest Park and across Longview ISD, we’re preparing students to become creators, not just consumers of technology,” said Benjamin Wood, Chief Technology Officer and MSAP Director. “The Lobo Gaming Expo is an example of how we’re introducing families to the future of education, today.”
The expo highlights the growing role of project-based learning and digital innovation in the district’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. Forest Park’s hands-on approach to multimedia, Esports, and game design gives students early exposure to high-demand career fields—all while having fun and working collaboratively.