Having faced mental health challenges and the aftermath of a concussion, Elbawati dropped out of high school in 2019 during his senior year. At 19, he found himself navigating adulthood, working full-time six days a week.
Joining the Helms Academy marked a turning point for Elbawati, who now looks forward to leveraging his experience as he pursues higher education. He was awarded an Esports scholarship, typically offered by colleges and universities that have recognized students who demonstrate skills and achievements in the competitive video gaming industry. “This is something to be proud of. This was my goal: completing something, being proud of it,” Elbawati said. “I wanted to get ahead, I wanted to live a stable life.
