COLUMBIA, S.C. - eTradeWire -- The Calhoun County School District is excited to announce a dynamic new partnership with Blaze Fire Games, a leading gaming and digital media developer. This collaboration aims to offer students hands-on learning experiences in the rapidly growing fields of digital media, esports, cybersecurity, and video game design. Blaze Fire Games, renowned for its innovative contributions to the gaming world, will work closely with the school district to provide students with real-world exposure to the gaming industry and critical tech fields. Through this partnership, students will access specialized curricula, cutting-edge technology, and expert guidance from industry professionals to build skills that will set them apart in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Key Aspects of the Partnership:

1. Esports Program Development
2. Calhoun County School District will introduce a competitive esports program, allowing students to participate in local, state, and national competitions. Blaze Fire Games will offer coaching and game development support, helping students develop teamwork, strategy, and communication skills while preparing them for future career opportunities in the esports industry.
3. Cybersecurity Education
4. As part of the collaboration, Blaze Fire Games will guide students through hands-on learning experiences in cybersecurity. The focus will be on protecting digital environments in gaming and beyond. Students will engage with professionals to learn about the latest trends in cybersecurity, network defense, and data protection.
5. Video Game Design and Development
6. Blaze Fire Games will provide training and mentorship in video game design and development, allowing students to create, test, and launch their games. The program will include modules on game mechanics, storytelling, coding, 3D modeling, and user experience design, offering aspiring game designers a comprehensive foundation.
7. Real-World Career Pathways
8. This partnership also introduces internship and mentorship opportunities, connecting students with professionals in the esports, game design, and cybersecurity industries. These opportunities will help students build career-ready skills and create pathways to employment in digital media-related fields.

What Leaders are Saying:

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Dr. Ferlondo Tullock, Superintendent of Calhoun County School District, said, "I am ecstatic about this partnership between our district and Blaze Fire Games. It offers another extraordinary opportunity for the District's students to be on the cutting edge and uniquely connect with higher education institutions and students nationwide. This is a real game-changer for Calhoun County's students because, with this initiative, the district's leadership team and instructors will meet the students where they are, not where we think they are. Dr. Tullock continues to say that this is a crucial investment in the futuristic student-centric program offerings that will allow students the opportunity to be creative and innovative in or out of the classroom, and we are incredibly excited to partner with Dr. Isiah Reese and his team at Blaze Fire Games." The partnership will also allow students to build their future career brand in the marketplace with colleges and universities and potential employers."

The multi-billion esports industry is one of the world's fastest-growing sports. According to industry experts, 216 million Americans play video games weekly in the U.S. Additionally, 62% of Adults 18+ routinely play video, and the number rises to 76% for students under 18.

The new Calhoun County Cyber Saints Program will emphasize competition in student team play as an official school district student organization.

Mark Parker, Chief of Technology at the Calhoun County School District, said, "We are excited about our new gaming and the Blaze Fire Games, EC-Council and GameDevHQ esports and cybersecurity and video game design high school career pathway Career Technical Education(CTE)/Post Secondary Education Opportunity (PSEO) curriculum and competition team program. We have developed a 21st Century State of Art Digital Media Esports and Gaming Education Innovation Lab to serve our students and the community. Parker continues by saying, again, we are thrilled to partner with Blaze Fire Games, a leader in the gaming industry, to provide our students with transformative educational experiences. This partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of preparing students for the careers of tomorrow, particularly in digital media and technology fields that are increasingly shaping the future workforce."

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The esports academic career pathway and the Calhoun County High School CyberSaints esports club are off to a fast start. An impressive 90 club members have joined the Blaze Fire Games Discord esports competition league. The Calhoun County School District and the Blaze Fire Games Office of Academic Affairs have collaborated and successfully launched a dedicated educational interdisciplinary series of esports micro-credentialing customized content with 50 students for the current, summer, and fall 2025 academic year.

Dr. Isiah Reese, CEO and Co-Founder of Blaze Fire Games, said, "At Blaze Fire Games, we are passionate about fostering the next generation of innovators, designers, and technologists. Partnering with the Calhoun County School District in South Carolina is an exciting opportunity to engage with students and help them explore the vast potential of the gaming and tech industries. We believe this collaboration will inspire students and equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age."

About Calhoun County School District:

The Calhoun County School District is committed to providing a high-quality education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Focusing on innovation, creativity, and critical thinking, the district offers various programs to help students excel academically and prepare for their careers.
https://www.ccpsonline.net/aboutccps

About Blaze Fire Games:

Blaze Fire Games is a cutting-edge video game development company specializing in creating immersive and innovative gaming experiences. Focusing on building engaging and dynamic games, Blaze Fire Games has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of the gaming industry while fostering talent through its education and mentorship programs.

https://blazefiregames.com/#!/

Contact Information:

For Calhoun County School District:

Mark Parker

Phone: (803) 655-7310

Email: mparker@ccpsonline.net