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Velazquez said he's been playing for the Madden franchise
 Monday, December 20th 2021, 6:58 AM;  72;  0;  +0 | 0 | -0
"People were already interacting with each other online, digitally, and so it was a very natural extension," explained Trevor Wood, an 11th-grade English instructor and advisor for the school's video gaming club. "The school and the district were really interested in the growth of the video game club because it was the primary ways for kids to meet socially."
A recent surge in popularity for the game "Among Us,"" an online multiplayer game, attracted Velazquez along with many others to the club. Prior to COVID-19 Wood told me that the video game club was comprised of less than 10 people. More than 60 students now have joined the discussion channel of the group.
This year, the team also dove into the competitive aspect of gaming, challenging high schoolers who hail from Washington as well as across the nation with a range of games. The team has fought events within "Mario Kart" and "League of Legends," without much successes, but Velazquez's win may help propel the club. Wood revealed that the club's "Super Smash Bros." team is nearing the state championships contest and remains undefeated.
"I think there are more people like Jair at the average school than you might think," Wood said. "People who are super-fast at video games don't have an opportunity to become anything other than random matchmaking online." After the move into Lake Stevens in the fall of 2019 Velazquez didn't have much time at school before doors were shut in the spring. Velazquez said he had made new friends with the video game club which he's not yet met in person. But, the kids yell each other in every contest.
Velazquez said he's been playing for the Madden franchise since famous athletes such as Vince Young and Brett Favre appeared on the game's cover in the late 90s. It's been more than half of his life.
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