Three fifth-grade students from the Warren County School District have achieved remarkable success by clinching the state championship at the Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League Minecraft State Finals. The talented trio, consisting of Patrick Ferrie, Bo Winkels, and Grayson Zapel from Beaty Middle School, showcased their skills at the competition held on February 6 at the Just Press Play Mega Store in Lancaster.
“I am incredibly proud of Bo, Grayson, and Patrick,” expressed Meggi Brown, the Minecraft advisor and gifted support STEM instructor. “They demonstrated a strong understanding of Minecraft building and the creativity that goes with it, while working exceptionally well as a team.”
The students earned their spot in the state finals by securing first place in their regional competition, which featured schools from 14 counties. They then faced off against seven other regional champions from across Pennsylvania.
Innovative Challenge
The competition presented a unique challenge, requiring participants to design and construct a Minecraft world based on the theme “Pennsylvania’s Factory of the Future.” Teams were tasked with creating a factory that utilized advanced technology and sustainable energy to enhance the manufacturing sector. Additionally, they had to incorporate Pennsylvania-based materials, such as wood or crops, and illustrate how products would move through the manufacturing and distribution process.
<p“The competition was really fun and exhilarating,” said Zapel. “The build-up was a little intense, but it was a lot of fun.”
Ferrie, Winkels, and Zapel designed an innovative factory that produced fertilizer using renewable resources, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Their creation included a system for transporting the finished product onto boats for distribution to farmers, who would then apply the fertilizer to their crops.
<p“We were all nervous about how we would do at the competition, but we were really excited too,” Ferrie shared. “We were worried that we wouldn’t have enough time to finish building our world, but in the end, we had five minutes to spare.”
This competition aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic strategy, which emphasizes manufacturing as a high-growth opportunity for Pennsylvania. Students were encouraged to develop systems that prioritize sustainability, industrial decarbonization, and a supply chain connecting raw materials to broader markets.
Reflecting on their achievement, Winkels remarked, “I was surprised that we actually got first place. It was very uplifting.”
