Why I Believe Community Matters More Than “Programs”

Growing up, I was a big gamer. Nintendo, computer games, card games… if it involved people, I was in. Winning was never the point for me. What actually mattered was playing WITH people.

Almost every game I loved had some kind of team element. I used to say to my friend often that, “there wasn’t enough TEAM aspects” to a game. If the game didn’t let me work with others, I wasn’t really interested. Maybe that’s why solo RPGs never clicked for me. Playing alone just didn’t feel the same.

Looking back, it wasn’t the games that made those years fun; it was the people. My friends, my family, the little community we built around whatever we were playing. That’s what stuck with me.

And honestly, that’s the feeling I want A New School to create. Not just “programs,” not just activities but a place where people come together. A place where kids meet new friends, build connections, and create real bonds that exist outside of a screen.

Because at the end of the day, the games are fun… but the community is what matters!