Learn from the pros.
Then game it up.
A free one-day esports event for students in grades 6–12 across the Upper Peninsula: career sessions with industry pros in the morning, a Smash tournament all afternoon.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Check-in from 8:30. Sessions until 1:00, lunch, then the MARESA Cup until the closing ceremony at 6:00.
8:30 AM
Check-in opens
Main entrance. Pick up your badge and T-shirt.
9:00 AM
Welcome
James Wallington, Host
9:15 AM
Session 1 · Building game worlds: careers in game art
Aaron Villarreal
10:00 AM
Session 2 · Careers in creative digital arts
Phoebe Meston
10:45 AM
Snack break
15 minutes.
11:00 AM
Session 3 · Q&A with the Pros
Moderated by James Wallington, Host
11:35 AM
Session 4 · Computer science pathways
Cheryl Wilson
12:25 PM
Free lunch
All dietary options provided.
1:00 PM
MARESA Cup Smash tournament
Hosted by Christopher Bilski, Director of Esports, Michigan State University
Run by Michigan State University Esports. Every registered student is in the bracket — there is no separate sign-up.
6:00 PM
Closing ceremony and prizes
Including the ROG Xbox Ally grand prize drawing.
Preview · Not our event
This video is from the Kent County Cup, a Smash tournament run by Kent ISD downstate. It is a different event in a different county. We are sharing it only as an example of the format: pros in the morning, a bracket all afternoon.
Ours is the MARESA Cup, at Bothwell Middle School in Marquette.
Main room · Morning
Three people building careers in games and technology, one open Q&A with all of them, and the MSU Esports director who runs the tournament.
Session 19:15 – 10:00 AM
Senior Environment Artist · Bethesda Game Studios
Building game worlds: careers in game art
Aaron builds worlds at the studio behind Starfield, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls. A Ferris State graduate, he shares what a career in game art looks like and how to get started.
Session 210:00 – 10:45 AM
Art Director · Michigan Technological University
Careers in creative digital arts
Phoebe shares what a career in creative digital arts looks like, from visual design and illustration to motion and interactive media, and how students can start building a creative portfolio today.
Session 311:00 – 11:30 AM
Thirty minutes of student questions for the pros on stage: how they got started, what a day at work is really like, and what to do now to get there.
Moderated by
James Wallington, Host
Session 411:35 AM – 12:20 PM
Computer Science Consultant · Michigan Department of Education
Computer science pathways
Cheryl is the Michigan Department of Education's computer science consultant, coordinating the state's K-12 computer science standards and the professional learning that brings them into classrooms. She shares where computer science can take students in the Upper Peninsula.
Tournament host1:00 – 6:00 PM
Director of Esports · Michigan State University
MARESA Cup tournament host
Inaugural Director of Esports at Michigan State University. Christopher and the MSU Esports crew run the MARESA Cup bracket all afternoon, from the first match to the final.
Grand prize drawing
Every registered student who attends is entered. Drawn at the closing ceremony.
Donated by Sehi Computer Products
Drag the handheld to turn it.
Where to go
Marquette Public Schools
1200 Tierney Street, Marquette, MI 49855
Check-in opens 8:30 AM at the main entrance. Room and parking details are emailed to every registered family before the event.
Registration
Registration for the MARESA Cup has reached capacity. Thank you, U.P. gamers! Leave your email and we will tell you first when the next one opens.
Leave your email and we will let you know when registration opens for the next MARESA Cup or another MARESA student event. Nothing else.
Dietary needs or accommodations? Reach out to Grace Newcomb at gnewcomb@maresa.org and we will be happy to help.
Presented by
Marquette-Alger RESA · 321 E. Ohio Street, Marquette, MI 49855 · (906) 226-5100