Game On for STEM: Brightspeed Debuts New Bright Future Esports Lab at Triton High School in Erwin

Game On for STEM: Brightspeed Debuts New Bright Future Esports Lab at Triton High School in Erwin

New state-of-the-art lab introduces cutting-edge technology to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s tech-driven jobs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — August 11, 2025 — New school year, new tech for Harnett County students! Today, Brightspeed, the nation’s third-largest fiber broadband builder, officially unveiled its Bright Future Esports Lab at Triton High School, empowering North Carolina students to explore STEM careers through the growing world of Esports.

During Triton High School’s open house event, students and families had the opportunity to see and test out this high-tech, dynamic space made possible by a new partnership between Brightspeed and Stay Plugged In, a leading Esports organization focused on providing educational and career opportunities to high school students.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunities this lab will open up for our students,” said Candace Hoover, Instructional Technology Facilitator at Triton High School. “By fusing Esports and STEM, we’re not only engaging students in something they’re already passionate about, but we’re also equipping them with the future-ready skills they’ll need to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.”

With more than 4,000 votes cast, Erwin’s Triton High School was selected as the winner of the Brightspeed Bright Future Esports Lab Contest last spring. Triton’s bold vision for innovation, technology and hands-on learning helped it rise to the top of more than 50 other schools’ proposals.

The Brightspeed Bright Future Esports Lab Contest represents a shared mission to empower the next generation of leaders with access to the skills, tools and connectivity they need to thrive in today’s digital world. The initiative invited high schools within Brightspeed’s North Carolina service areas, where the company is focused on bridging the digital divide and connecting communities to the country’s fastest internet service, as determined by HighSpeedInternet.com Annual Service Provider Review 2025.

“We’re proud to partner with Triton High School and Stay Plugged In to help bring the Bright Future Esports Lab to life,” said Steve Brewer, director of government affairs at Brightspeed. “Our goal is to create meaningful, lasting impact in the communities we serve, and that starts with providing students a space where they can learn, explore and build the skills needed for the jobs of the future. It’s exciting to see North Carolina’s next generation of innovators and leaders engaging with technology in such a dynamic way.”

With super-fast speeds and cutting-edge technology, Brightspeed’s fiber network is designed to empower how people work, learn, live and interact today. Fast, reliable internet isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating opportunities for future generations. Whether it’s building an innovation lab to empower students interested in STEM or connecting rural communities with high-speed internet that really works, Brightspeed is steadfast in its mission to bridge this digital divide.

Brightspeed Fiber Internet is currently available to more than 410,000 families and businesses across North Carolina with thousands more locations coming online every month. Residents and businesses can check if Brightspeed Fiber Internet is available in their area by visiting www.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 7.3 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.