September 30th 2017, Taft High’s gaming club KFA (Keep Friday Alive) went to CSUB to a gaming event called Rowdy Con where Extra Life, “an online grassroots movement working to save local kids through the power of play” sponsored the event. KFA has been attending the event for 5 years now. Edward Webb, who runs the event and provides most of the gaming equipment, has also contributed to the its creation and is the head of the event.

Mr. Webb was asked what lead to holding the event at CSUB, to which he responded, “The first event was just a gaming party. I’d started the club and wanted to do something charitable. We found Extra Life but didn’t all want to just do it at home, so we brought all our gaming stuff to CSUB. We got some food and prizes donated and anyone that raised $20 could join us. Everything else grew out of that.” Hundreds attended, ranging from memorabilia collectors, comic book fanatics, card game players, video game addicts, to professional cosplayers. With many changes being made and new ideas being brought to the table, Rowdy Con always has something new and fresh for each year. A newest addition to the event was a 5k run that was held, with a cosplay cafe that was also new to the event. Mr. Webb was asked if there would  be any new additions, changes, or plans in the future for the event, his response was “We always have changes. Some things work surprisingly well and we build on them. Some things we struggle with and try to fix, or just drop. Rowdy Con was enormous, at least for us. It made for too long a day, so next year we’ll do the 5k on a different day and may not do a concert at all. It might be a dance or even karaoke. The DDR was a hit and will get a bigger space. Same for the cosplay cafe and the Kerbal Space Program.”

With a variety of interests and activities at Rowdy Con, it also brings a feeling of being a family. The interactions, experiences, and the fun at the event seems to encourage those who attended to put themselves out there and show that this is who they are. Mr. Webb was asked, how has the event affected the children that are sent donations, he replied “The attendees seem generally happy with the event and many have returned year after year and have watched it grow. That includes KFA. The hospital is delighted because they know we work year round to do all these events. We help the Lauren Small Children’s Center buy equipment that allows kids to be treated locally and not be airlifted to other hospitals, so it doesn’t go to something frivolous. It really does make a difference. The money we raised in 2014 helped them start building the new children’s emergency room. That’s awesome.” Jonah Armstrong, the president for KFA stated, “I enjoy knowing that we get to go and do what we love. By doing so, we give hope, and it’s the little things that really make a difference.”