Brightspeed Awards $10,000 Grant to Support Rocky Mount High School's Esports Program

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) is thrilled to announce that Brightspeed, the nation's third-largest fiber broadband builder empowering families and businesses with reliable, ultra-fast connectivity, has awarded a $10,000 grant to support the Gryphon Elite Esports team at Rocky Mount High School. This generous contribution will enable the team to upgrade its equipment, expand student participation, and enhance the overall program, furthering the district's mission to provide innovative educational opportunities for students.

"When Brightspeed launched, we made a commitment to bring state-of-the-art internet connectivity to homes and businesses across our footprint and invest in the communities we serve by giving to programs and services that make a positive difference," said Sabrina Anderson, Brightspeed marketing manager. "Not only are we making good on that promise with our Brightspeed Fiber Internet already available to more than 26,000 Rocky Mount locations and counting, but we are making a further investment in Nash County youth, helping give them the tools they need to thrive in today's digital world."

"This grant allows us to provide students with cutting-edge technology, enhancing their esports experience and empowering them to develop valuable life skills," said Kenneth J. Jones, Jr., M.S., Applied Mathematics, and esports coach at Rocky Mount High School. "Esports fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and strategic planning—skills that prepare students for success both in and out of the classroom."

Founded in 2022 as a student-led initiative, the Gryphon Elite Esports team has grown through community support, school fundraising, and participation in the Varsity Esports League (VESL). However, outdated gaming systems have limited the team's potential. Brightspeed's grant will address this challenge by funding critical equipment upgrades and supporting the program's expansion.

The Gryphon Elite Esports team currently engages approximately 15 students who meet twice weekly to compete and practice. With the new resources provided by Brightspeed, the team aims to increase its membership and create a more immersive and effective gaming environment.

"Our goal is to give students the tools and opportunities to grow academically, socially, and professionally," Jones added. "This grant is an investment in their future."

For more information about this partnership, please contact Sabrina Carpenter at sabrina.anderson@brightspeed.com.

About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 6.5 million homes and businesses. Our 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.

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SOURCE Brightspeed