Studies such as those done by media marketing company Nielsen have made it apparent that social media has no doubt allowed for significant expansion of access to information. This access allows people to connect with some of their more niche hobbies. Not only are these sports becoming more popular but it also attracts more growth strategies such as more sponsorships. 

TikTok has been a successful conduit for this access to information. People will become interested in topics they have never heard of before because the algorithm just happened to show them a video on the subject. There have been two major revelations from TikTok regarding niche sports. The first is that there are sports that I have never heard of, like Professional Face Slapping. The second is the significant expansion of previously niche sports, like Esports. 

Face slapping, originating in Russia, involves two competitors taking turns slapping each other across the face until one person surrenders or is knocked out. While the sport has generated controversy due to its violent nature, it has also gained a loyal following online and now has its own world championship event.

Esports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Millions of people tune in to watch professional gamers compete in games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Dota 2. Esports has become a legitimate industry, with tournaments offering millions of dollars in prize money. Professional teams and players can even find sponsorship deals with major brands.

Niche sports also serve as a way to preserve traditions and history. For example, jousting, rooted in medieval times, may seem like a relic of the past. However, jousting is still alive and well today thanks to a dedicated community of enthusiasts who compete in tournaments around the world.

In the end, niche sports remind us of the limitless potential of human creativity and ingenuity. They allow us to push the boundaries of what we believe is possible and inspire us to discover new worlds and experiences. So, the next time you are looking for something new and exciting, consider trying a niche sport – you never know what you might discover.

According to a study conducted by HelpGuide.org, volunteering has numerous benefits for both the individual and the community. It improves physical and mental health, increases happiness, and helps to build social networks. The study revealed that volunteerism has a significant impact on society, with volunteers contributing billions of dollars to the economy through their unpaid work. Volunteerism has also been linked to increased levels of civic engagement and social responsibility.

The Pryor Leadership Program at Jewell has been actively involved in supporting Eden Village, a shelter community that is currently being constructed that aims to provide affordable housing to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Volunteers from the Pryor Leadership Program regularly visit the community to organize events and to provide support in any way that might be needed. Currently, the Pryor Leadership Fellows are working to build a fence for the community. 

Eden Village of Kansas City will be a gated tiny home community enriched by a community center. Local volunteer specialists will give their time to provide individuals who have been classified as chronically homeless with a safe and dignified place to call home. Pryor is working with Eden Village to help them make their Kansas City, KS, property secure by fencing the remainder of its perimeter and then shifting our focus to furnishing and decorating the tiny houses that will be on the property.

Cole Hon, a senior working on the project explained: “Each year, the graduating Pryor Leadership Fellows partner with a nonprofit in our greater Kansas City community to address relevant issues and leave a lasting mark through the Pryor Legacy Project. A donation, whether in the form of financial means or volunteer hours, directly benefits Eden Village of Kansas City, the Pryor Legacy Class of 2023 community partner.”

When asked about what the ultimate goal of the partnership is, he said, “We are working with Eden Village to help them secure their Kansas City, KS, property by fencing the remainder of its perimeter and then shifting our focus to furnishing and decorating the tiny houses that will be on the property. Our goal is to fundraise the cost of the fencing, $10,500, by March 13th so we are able to begin acquiring materials before our first work day on April 1st. Our overall fundraising goal is $25,000 by May 1st which will be given to Eden Village to furnish homes as they are brought onto the property.”

Warrior’s Best Friend is another organization that provides vital services to veterans by placing service dogs with those who need them. These service dogs help to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental health conditions. Warrior’s Best Friend relies heavily on the support of volunteers who help walk and clean the dogs. By volunteering with Warrior’s Best Friend, students at William Jewell can make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families, as well as on the organization itself. 

William Jewell students should contact 816-500-3867 if interested in contributing to either of these essential causes. By volunteering with these organizations, students can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, gain monumental experiences and help to build a more just and compassionate society.

As the 2023 Major League Baseball season approaches, Kansas City Royals fans are eager to see what their team has in store. Following their World Championship in 2015, the Royals have had seven consecutive losing seasons. Despite some major changes in the team, it doesn’t seem that there is much reason to believe this season will be a dramatic shift from that narrative, but time will tell.

One of the most significant changes for the Royals was the firing of Mike Matheny and hiring of Matt Quataro as the new team manager. Quataro brings a wealth of experience to the team, having managed the minor league Tampa Bay Rays operation. He was highly desired in the current MLB hiring pool. The Royals are lucky to have him.

The player, Bobby Witt Jr., seeks to continue building his career since being drafted second overall in 2019. After hitting 20 home runs last year, it’s likely his goal will be to perform with even higher results. SBNation lists him as the team’s biggest strength going into the season, despite only being 22 years old.

The Royals are led by veteran Salvador Perez, who is still holding it down as catcher. Perez is surrounded by a strong core of younger players. Quataro was interviewed by the Kansas City star about expectations for the veteran catcher. “We want him in the lineup as many days as possible and we’re going to do our best to pick our spots to figure out how we make that work,” he said.

The Royals will face stiff competition in the American League Central, which includes perennial playoff contenders like the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians. However, with their new additions, talented young players, and skilled returners, the Royals have the potential to surprise their audience and go for a championship season.

Overall, Royals fans have reason to be excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. With a new manager, talented roster, and renewed sense of purpose, the team is in a position to make some noise and compete at a high level. It could be a prosperous year for Kansas City baseball fans.

The Last of Us, both the video game and the TV show, have been a sensation in the entertainment industry. The game, released in 2013, was a critical and commercial success, due in part to its gripping story, intense action and compelling characters. The show, just recently premiering as of January, seeks to adapt the story of the 2013 game, in a mostly faithful fashion. The show is packed with an all-star cast, such as “Mandalorian” star Pedro Pascal as the lead role of Joell. It is also backed by an excellent narrative team with Neil Druckman, who directed the “original game” and Craig Mazin, who has had HBO success with hits like “Chernobyl”.

On the story side, both the game and the show serve as a gripping and emotional tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic world taken over by the cordyceps infection. The main characters, Joel and Ellie, are both complex and likable. Their evolving relationship drives the story forward as they seek to travel across this new-world United States. The show builds on the game’s story by delving deeper into the characters and their relationships. The producers also introduced new characters and storylines to keep the audience hooked.

Despite the game already being very cinematic in its presentation, the live-action nature of the TV show makes the violence and drama even more visceral than before. The show’s visual effects are also impressive and create an immersive world, full of danger and excitement. Playstation and Naughty Dog, who are responsible for the development of the game, are bound to see lucrative  synergistic success from the show. Sales for The Last of Us Part 1 on PS5 have already gone up with the announcement of a season 2, which will adapt the events of the second game in the series. 

The Last of Us game and TV show are both incredible pieces of art that have captivated audiences. If the show is to maintain its faithful relationship to its source material, viewers are set for a heartbreaking yet warming journey that will produce lasting feelings. The show builds on what the game set up and is sure to be a hit for fans of the game. Both the game and show are must-sees, and it’s clear why The Last of Us saga is so beloved. As of date, four4 episodes have been released and five more are on the way. Episodes air at 8 P.M central every Sunday night on HBO Max.