By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.
Edmundo Ramirez’s Prestige Promotions is bringing an exciting tournament to the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center this August. Inspired by his son, and looking to bring joy and a safe space to the youth of the Lower Laguna Madre, he will be hosting Fortnite Fest on Aug. 5. Not only will this be a tournament for gamers to fiercely compete for a cash prize, it is also a drive for school supplies for the students of Point Isabel ISD [PIISD].
Ramirez is a Laguna Heights native, having lived there his entire life, and he is the father of a twelve-year-old boy, so the youth of the community is a huge deal to him.
On Feb. 5, 2023, assisted by The City of Port Isabel, Ramirez hosted the First Annual Laguna Madre Madden 23 Tournament, also at the Port Isabel Convention Center. According to Ramirez, he plans to hold the second annual around the same time next year. 32 gamers participated in this first tournament and proceeds were donated to the Laguna Madre Youth Center. Victor Martinez, a nine-year-old boy, took home second place, according to Ramirez.
“The youth are the future,” said Ramirez.
During this, Ramirez’s son approached him, saying he wished there was a festival like this for Fortnite, an online survival games where 100 players compete to be the last one standing. According to Active Player, The Game Statistics Authority, over 200 million users played Fortnite in June, 2023, alone.
Since the Madden 23 Tournament was such a success and the gaming community of the Lower Laguna Madre began gaining traction, Ramirez, along with his co-partner Johnny Zamora, established Laguna Madre Gaming, a Facebook group with currently over 200 members. Ramirez describes it as a “a page where the whole gaming community can come together and pitch their ideas.”
Ramirez also encourages those who don’t wish to participate in the festival, but want to contribute to the school supplies drive, to come by and drop off donations, as there will be a collection box. He feels now it is especially important to gather these supplies, after the troubles many local families are facing due to the recent tornado in Laguna Heights.
“We are just trying to throw a good family event before the kids go back to school,” said Ramirez.
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