Disponible en: Español
For the first time in district history, two high school esports teams from Aldine ISD have qualified for the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TEXSEF) State Championship.
The teams—Boo Crew and Phoenix—earned their spots after intense competition at the Aldine Esports Countdown Cup on March 22. Both teams will now represent Aldine ISD at the TEXSEF State Championship, taking place May 1–3 at the Hurd Center on Baylor University’s campus in Waco, Texas.
Boo Crew to Compete in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The Boo Crew squad includes:
- Edgar Barbosa, Senior – Aldine High School
- Alyssa Serratos, Senior – Victory High School
- Damian Hernandez, Freshman – Carver High School
- Joel Yanez, Senior – Aldine High School
- Jared Garcia, Senior – Eisenhower High School
Boo Crew secured its state berth after competing in 14 matches against five other teams. They will face off against 20 of the top Mario Kart 8 Deluxe teams from across Texas during the three-day event.
Team Phoenix Qualifies for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Competing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Team Phoenix includes:
- Adan Mendoza, Junior – MacArthur High School
- Juanita Garcia, Freshman – Davis 9th Grade School
- Matthew Vega, Junior – Blanson CTE High School
- Jason Molina, Sophomore – Eisenhower High School
Phoenix rose to the top after playing 24 matches against nine other teams at the Countdown Cup. They will now battle 21 other Texas schools for the state title.
Andrea Soliz, the Executive Director of Digital Learning, states that “Aldine’s participation in the TEXSEF State Championship marks a historic moment for our district.”
“We are witnessing the emergence of a program that began as an experiment and has now reached the state’s highest competitive level. This achievement isn’t just about gaming—it’s about pioneering an alternative pathway for students beyond traditional UIL activities, opening doors to successful careers in the rapidly growing esports ecosystem. Our students are developing professional skills, building community, and showing that Aldine is at the forefront of educational innovation in competitive gaming.”
Aldine is taking esports to the next level for 2025-2026. The program’s rapid growth speaks volumes, from just 40 students competing in our league in our first year to 72 students this year, representing an 80% increase in participation. The district has also expanded from 17 clubs in its first year to 27 clubs this year, showing the growing interest across Aldine.
“As we expand our in-person competitions, we’re also building strategic partnerships with PlayVS, TEXSEF, and the Houston Spartans to connect students with professional opportunities. What makes our approach unique is that we’re pioneering an alternative career pathway completely outside the traditional UIL-approved sports system.”, said Soliz.
“We’re not just teaching them to game – we’re developing a school-to-college pipeline that cultivates the essential skills employers want: analytical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and technological literacy. Our program creates competitive gamers while opening doors to tomorrow’s workforce through this engaging, non-traditional avenue.”
About TEXSEF and Aldine Esports
The Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TEXSEF) is a statewide organization that uses esports to enhance students’ social, emotional, and academic development. TEXSEF focuses on education, leadership, and career development through competitive play and a curriculum-based learning approach.
Aldine ISD’s esports program is committed to preparing students for careers in the gaming and technology industries by developing skills in teamwork, strategy, communication, and digital literacy. By investing in esports, the district and its partners aim to build a future-ready workforce.
To learn more about Aldine ISD Esports, including league information, upcoming tournaments, and how to support the program, visit https://sites.google.com/aldineisd.org/aldineesports/home/mission-and-vision?authuser=0.
