History

History of the Gaming Club

The D.C. Everest Gaming Club began in the 1989-1990 school year under the leadership of Christian Ammon, at the time a young Jr. High German teacher (23 years old). Five students and Mr. Ammon periodically met to play simple board games and role-playing games throughout the school year. The founding Gaming Club members were Dan Biesel, Shane Parrott, Jim Buck, Jason Gums, & Chris Blakewell. The Games Master Series (Shogun, Axis & Allies, and Fortress America) were the main board games enjoyed by all. The Club played mainly on Friday afternoons and evenings. In 1996, the D.C. Everest School District officially acknowledged the Gaming Club as an official club within the district.

The first EVERCON was originally called "The D.C. Everest Gaming Club's Mid-Winter Gaming Event" and occurred in 2000. Not counting club members, the Con drew a total of eighteen public attendees. Shortly afterward, student leaders were elected to officer positions, allowing students to have a more active role in deciding the direction of the club. The Club continued to experience high membership and enjoyment from students, who gradually became highly interested in tabletop, board, and role-playing games. Countless campaigns of BESM, D&D, and White Wolf RPGs were played. In addition, the Club started to incorporate anime related content with the leadership of Adam Rickert from 2001-2009.

With the powerful addition of new student leaders, the Gaming Club also flourished with the help of Matthew Kehl, a former Club member and EVERCON Director, who continued to be a strong adult role model for club members well beyond graduating from high school. The Club was saddened by the passing of Matthew in October of 2011, but we continue to remember and honor him for the amazing work he has done. A memorial scholarship has been established in his name.

In the past few years, EVERCON has grown substantially with the help of Kris Peterson, one of the EVERCON Co-Directors, as well as Jonathan Elmergreen, a club alumnus and EVERCON Co-Director from 2008-2014. Christian and Kris have worked extensively with student leaders over the past ten years-- many of whom continue to come back each year to help, even after graduating-- resulting in the exponential growth of EVERCON. Each year, the Club attempts to push the boundaries on what has been done and continues to move forward in a progressive direction.

Within the community, the Gaming Club has become a positive force dedicated to helping organizations that hold the same high ideals and values as the Gaming Club--helping others, diversity, and education. Each year, the Club chooses to donate a large portion of their funds generated from EVERCON to local organizations in need.

Since it first became involved in philanthropy, the Club has given out over $49,000.

If you are a D.C. Everest Area student from grades 8-12, we would love for you to become a Club member. If interested, please contact Christian Ammon.

And the search for the Holy Grail continues...

Past Officers