Magnolia School District

The Magnolia High School (MHS) Chess and eSports Team was recognized at the November 4, 2024, School Board Meeting. In 2018, students started requesting an eSports club to compete against other clubs nationwide. That same year, The Arkansas Activities Association partnered with PlayVS to recognize eSports as an official activity. MHS eSports has competed each year in at least one game since the official beginning of the program in 2018, making the playoffs their first year. The team is currently 4-2 for the year and ranked #8 in the state. The MHS eSports Team members include Steven Schaffhauser, Caleb Wilson, Ja’Camron Snell, Jairo Diaz, and Aiden Jones. The MHS Chess League was started last year to give students who enjoy chess a chance to learn more about the game and play competitively. This year, PlayVS offered an online 3v3 chess as a choice for eSports. They are currently 5-1 for the year, ranked #7 in the region, and have secured a playoff spot. The MHS Chess Team members include Preston Nichols, Xola Schlamp, Conor Waters, and Blake Green. Sponsor Hunter Fowler said, “We hope to continue to grow the program and give our students a chance to represent the Panther name by excelling in their passions.” Represented at the school board meeting were Xola Schlamp, Steven Schaffhouser, and Aiden Jones. Xola said, “I enjoy being a part of the Chess team as it allows me to translate the way I look at chess into other areas of my academic life.” Aiden and Steven both said they have enjoyed having a group of students come together and enjoy something they are interested in and love. Steven Souter, School Board President, commented “The one thing I love about our school is the number of different activities offered for our kids to get involved in.” 

Pictured below are members of the Chess team and eSports Team 

Front Row (L to R): Aiden Jones and Steven Schaffhouser 

Back Row (L to R): Hunter Fowler (Sponsor), Xola Schlamp, and Superintendent John Ward