A pixelated space for students

Andrew Pulido • December 6, 2024

Sophomore Giancarlo Valdez plays Minecraft in a Minecraft Club meeting on Oct. 21. The club meets every Monday in Room 14. Students play “Minecraft Education Edition” on their devices and learn building teqniques from other club members.

In Minecraft Club, which is led by Club President Jamie Jones, students can creatively play via virtual means to their heart’s content.

“We basically are just a group of a bunch of people who like Minecraft,” sophomore Jones said. “We like playing it in general for the fun of it. There are no limits to it, which I like about it.”

“Minecraft” is an action-adventure multiplayer video game available on all gaming platforms where players can build, fight or do whatever they want in a lively and slightly magical blocky world. Jones got the idea to start Minecraft Club from his English teacher Valerie Quiroga. Quiroga, herself, is a big “Minecraft” fan who noticed her students playing “Minecraft: Education Edition” in class and she mentioned her idea for a club where students can play “Minecraft” during their breaks. It was then decided that Minecraft Club would be created and held in Quiroga’s room 11 classroom on Mondays and Fridays.

“I just enjoy the energy that my students bring,” Quiroga said. “I love that many of the ones who are in the club are dedicated to coming twice a week to my room. They like spending time with me and playing with me. It’s very, really nice, just getting to know them on a level that’s non-academic and getting them to open up as time went by.”

During the meetings, Quiroga hosts a “Minecraft” server where all the members can play together in a shared world. Players are encouraged to interact with the world in any way they wish, as long as they don’t trample on someone else’s fun. Recently, participants competed in a build-a-thon, a week-long competition to see who can build the best structures. Otherwise, club-goers often mess around in a special world dedicated toward free play.

Although the club first began as just a fun way to spend someone’s lunch, it has blossomed into an environment of collaboration. Students of different languages and grades feel they have formed stronger friendships with their peers from their time spent playing together. While other members feel Minecraft Club serves as a way to alleviate their stress and clear their heads from the worries of schoolwork.

“I think its purpose in the school is to just give students a safe space,” Vice President Megan Ramirez said. “It’s just to be able to relax and enjoy ‘Minecraft.”

About the Contributors

Andrew Pulido, Staff Writer

Andrew Pulido is a first-year staff member at The Pearl Post. He aims to learn the ropes of the operations while still producing high-quality and timely work. Extracurricularly, he participates in the 10th grade class council as Secretary, and the Birmingham Community Charter High School’s Cross Country team. When he has some time to spare, he never hesitates to involve himself with any horror media, whether it be book, film, or game. One hope he has this year is to put his passion for the horror genre into his work, if given the opportunity.

Daryna Hriaznova, Staff Writer

Daryna Hriaznova is a sophomore and first year staff member of The Pearl Post. Being a part of the newspaper, she hopes to improve her skills in writing journalism and interviewing. Outside of The Pearl Post, she likes to write fictional books and stories and draw. She is proud to be a part of The Pearl Post and is excited to contribute to the newspaper.