There is not much that is not special about Mineola. Those were the sentiments shared by one of the newest teachers at Mineola schools – graphics design teacher Aaron Cavitt. His comment, however, referred not just to the school but to the community at large.

Actively involved in the Flint and Steel organization, Cavitt has led the effort to create a gaming club for the city. The Green Dragon Gaming Club now meets every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. in the Mineola High School foyer. 

“Mineola High School was immediately onboard with the initiative,” related Cavitt. Principal Mike Sorenson offered use of the foyer practically before he was asked. Cavitt explained that the rationale behind the gaming club is to provide a safe place for youngsters to gather and develop socialization skills in a fun environment.

Cavitt noted that once it was explained how this club would help young people, the school staff rallied in support. Although the gaming club meets in the high school, it is not a high school organization. The club is open to all young people in the community, and although most members are high school students at Mineola High, there are a number who are not.

Four adults lead the club. In addition to Cavitt, Mineola alumnus Carter Mize, middle school teacher Daniel Davis and student Joel Smith provide oversight and structure to the group.  

The gaming alternates each week between traditional gaming and Dungeons and Dragons. At a recent meeting, young folks gathered into two groups before the scheduled Dungeon and Dragons event commenced. One group became involved in a heavily-contested game of Go Fish, while the other group investigated a new game which was based on the pantomime of sounds.

With 17 young people rounded up for the main event, Cavitt took charge of one group while Mize facilitated the second group in the popular role-playing game.     

Cavitt’s role within the game was part master of ceremonies, part advisor and mentor. Listening carefully to his guidance as the game drew on, one could easily identify the socialization and moderation learning points which he made – all within the context of the game. 

“Do you really want to use those words to open a conversation?” he asked to a player at one point.  “What happened to your personal goal?” he queried another player about his character’s intentions. The value of gaming in an “unplugged” environment became clear when listening to the guidance he offered under the guise of moderating a game. 

Being unplugged – meaning that the gaming club does not use electronics – is a significant characteristic. Cavitt explained the importance of person-to-person interaction to one’s development. “We do not game on screens,” he commented.   

Being unplugged seems to run counter to Cavitt’s primary job teaching graphic design. While it is true, he explained that he endeavors to build the same non-threatening environment in his graphics classes as in the gaming club. 

In his daytime job, Cavitt is busy shepherding the newly-created graphic design pathway which will soon turn out graduates with an Adobe certificate ready for work in the industry.

“Due to capacity, we have had to simply cap the number of students per class year to 15,” he said. This means that the high school will have 60 students in the pathway at any time.

When not in the classroom, much of Cavitt’s time is vested with the Flint and Steel initiative. Since its recent founding, Flint and Steel has become a force for youth in the community.

“Folks are talking about it, and it is a growing, socially-engaging effort,” Cavitt noted. 

The Green Dragon Gaming Club also has aspirations. Cavitt shared that securing a gaming studio somewhere in downtown Mineola would be the ultimate goal.

“Kids really want a place to go and be safe, a refuge,” he stated.

In the meantime, the weekly round-up in the high school foyer (the large open area adjacent to the gymnasium entrance) is that safe, worry-free environment where gaming becomes a social bonding exercise. 

As Halee Hasten commented at a recent club session, “It reminds me of good times with my family, but now with friends.” That is quite an endorsement.