After the majority of the student body has gone home, laughter spills out of the classroom in the science hall. There are not students inside but mythical monsters and heroes slaying enemies in gore-encrusted chain mail. Their imagination take them to extraordinary worlds instead of the mundane cement building they are sitting in. These students revel in their shared passion: fantasy games.
For many people, games allow an escape from reality into a fantastical world. The Trading Card Game Club allows students to come together and appreciate its unique role-playing abilities.
“[I enjoy] the ability to play magic with other people that are not only good at the game but also allow me to improve my deck and improve my skills,” junior John Willeford said.
Science teacher Steven Hitt volunteered to be the sponsor of TCG after students inquired about it. The club meets every Thursday after school until around 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“I’m super competitive, and I enjoy games,” Hitt said. “Anything that involves the two, I’m game.”
Junior Josh Anschutz started a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with his friends. After a friend introduced him to it, Anschutz became a Dungeon Master and got a group together.
“Dungeons and Dragons is a game that revolves around the players role-playing all with their imaginations,” Anschutz said. “The dungeon master thinks of creative worlds, or borrows creative worlds, and thinks of different challenges for [players] to come up against.”
His particular campaign plays whenever they have a chance. However, since the majority of his group is involved with UIL, its members play after their events are over.
“I guess for a lot of people it gives them the chance to be heroes,” Anschutz said. “When they’re playing, it’s as if they are significant, and I think that’s fun for a lot of people.”
For others, games are an outlet in which they can communicate and socialize. Online games especially provide chances to bond with others.
“I like to play because I get to play with friends that I haven’t seen in a long time,” sophomore Lukas McCoy said. “Even if it’s just for a short while, it’s like you’re in a completely different world.”
