At Churchill County High School, Greenwave Games, led by Digital Game Design instructor and esports coach Aaron Holt, is cultivating a new generation of talented game developers, digital sound artists, 2D and 3D digital artists, motion capture specialists, and VR (virtual reality) creators. Thanks to Holt’s innovative guidance, students are redefining Nevada’s landscape for youth, establishing the school as a pioneer in creative education.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Holt shared, “My administrator, Tim Spencer, has been so supportive of Greenwave Games. He never says no, so I pass that on to my students. Even if I do not know a program or know the answer, the students, when passionate about their goals, find a way which leads to beautiful, fun and amazing creations.”
Things kicked into high gear for Greenwave Games this year when Holt brought his student developers to the University of Nevada, Reno’s Break the Internet esports event on March 14. At the 2026 gathering, Holt seized the opportunity to spotlight his team’s work, drawing attention to their innovative games and giving his students a platform to be recognized by industry peers, professional game developers, and event organizers.
One such game was Ruff Day, an imaginative, Mario-style platform game crafted by CCHS senior and fourth-year Greenwave Games student Keoni Burrow. In the game, players guide the charming main character, Cinnamon – a bread aficionado, on an engaging quest to collect a variety of delicious loaves of bread from clever enemies while navigating intricately designed mazes that challenge and delight. The game’s lively atmosphere is elevated by an original soundtrack composed by CCHS senior Santiago Begazo, whose music brings energy and personality to every level, making the gameplay experience truly memorable.
During the Break the Internet event, Ruff Day was a popular choice among gamers. The atmosphere changed significantly when independent game developer Joriel Alves started playing. His involvement energized the crowd. An enthusiastic audience cheered him on. This excitement drew Holt's attention.
Alves said Ruff Day immediately stood out. “It looks like a simple platform anyone can pick up, but there’s a lot more happening under the surface,” he said. “The movement feels rewarding as you master it, the level design lets you choose your pace, and the challenging sections feel earned. You can tell the developer made a game that’s fun for both new players and those who want to push its limits.”
After finishing his session with Ruff Day, Joriel Alves, a University of Nevada, Reno graduate, and independent game developer engaged in conversation with Holt. According to Holt, Joriel Alves expressed a strong interest in purchasing the game and was eager to know where to purchase the game. Holt noted that Burrow did not yet have an online presence or social media accounts. Nonetheless, Joriel Alves’ enthusiasm underscored the accomplishments of Holt, Burrow, Begazo, and the Greenwave Games team.
When asked about the interest in Ruff Day and the prospect of selling the game, Burrow said, “I think it is impressive how everyone who plays the game enjoys it in their own way.” He added, “I might make it cheap, like $2, or even free so it is accessible to everyone. The game itself will make a good edition to my portfolio for college.” Burrow intends to attend the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall.
Keoni Burrow will debut a free demo of Ruff Day at LVL UP EXPO 2026, a three-day gaming and pop culture convention taking place April 24–26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where attendees can also access a link to purchase the game. The expo is open to all videogame developers—both commercial and independent—as well as artists and fans from the general public. To secure a booth at the event, participants must apply through the official application process. This marks a significant achievement for Holt, who will showcase his students’ games and digital art at the expo.
Holt said the primary goal of attending is to give these emerging creators the opportunity to network and highlight their portfolios.
Meanwhile, Ruff Day and several other games in development entered Beta testing in Holt’s design classroom on April 1 and 2. During the two-day period, high school students played the games and provided feedback to the creators, helping to identify bugs and prepare the games for the release party scheduled for some time in May. Up for grabs at the release party is $2500 in prize money contributed to the program by an anonymous donor. Student winners who will return to high school the following year will reinvest the prize money in their projects, and those graduating will keep the cash.
Stay tuned for updates on LVL UP EXPO, the release party results, and the latest news about Greenwave Games (GG).
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