Shawna
Banditos Gaming Member Spotlight: Shawna
Shawna
Meet Shawna , a valued member of Banditos Gaming who embodies the spirit of play and community. Hailing from Yonkers, NY, Shawna works as a Clinical Lab Technologist and is known for her warm personality and fun fact: she has double-jointed elbows!
Meet Shawna
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Occupation/Field of Study: Clinical Lab Technologist
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have double jointed elbows
Gaming Journey and Interests
Shawna's love for games began at an early age, playing board games with her siblings and poker with her dad. She fondly recalls bonding with her brother Ryan over Playstation, Gameboy, and Nintendo DS classics like Spongebob, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Mario Party. Years later, her passion for games was reignited when she joined Dave Eng’s summer game nights at STAC, discovering the vast and diverse world of modern board games.
Shawna is drawn to games that offer a fresh experience every time, particularly those centered on resource management and trick-taking. Her all-time favorite game is Sagrada, which she praises for its unique concept, beautiful design, and the added challenge of color coordination. Currently, Shawna is enjoying Skyjo, Nova Luna, and Thebes—games that showcase her love for creativity and strategy.
Banditos Gaming and Community Impact
Banditos Gaming Member Spotlight: Shawna McKivergan
Meet Shawna McKivergan, a valued member of Banditos Gaming who embodies the spirit of play and community. Hailing from Yonkers, NY, Shawna works as a Clinical Lab Technologist and is known for her warm personality and fun fact: she has double-jointed elbows!
Gaming Journey and Interests
Shawna's love for games began at an early age, playing board games with her siblings and poker with her dad. She fondly recalls bonding with her brother Ryan over Playstation, Gameboy, and Nintendo DS classics like Spongebob, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Mario Party. Years later, her passion for games was reignited when she joined Dave's summer game nights at STAC, discovering the vast and diverse world of modern board games.
Shawna is drawn to games that offer a fresh experience every time, particularly those centered on resource management and trick-taking. Her all-time favorite game is Sagrada, which she praises for its unique concept, beautiful design, and the added challenge of color coordination. Currently, Shawna is enjoying Skyjo, Nova Luna, and Thebes—games that showcase her love for creativity and strategy.
Banditos Gaming and Community Impact
Shawna first heard about Banditos Gaming during its early days at STAC. What she cherishes most about the group is its welcoming and inclusive environment, where everyone is eager to share their love of games.
One of Shawna's most memorable experiences was during the pandemic lockdown, when the group came together virtually to play Jackbox and other online games. Weekly Zoom sessions provided much-needed connection and joy during a challenging time.
For Shawna, Banditos Gaming is more than just a club—it’s a community that offers a respite from daily life, filled with fun, friendship, and shared laughter. She especially loves Coffee and Cardboard days, where the group gathers to play games and foster connections in a relaxed setting.
Life Lessons Through Play
Shawna believes games are powerful tools for community development, fostering connection through shared rules, goals, and collaboration. Her advice to newcomers? "Don’t be intimidated by thick rulebooks or tiny moving pieces. Even the crunchiest games can be broken down into manageable parts—and they’re always worth the fun!"
Closing Thoughts
When she’s not gaming, Shawna loves exploring her other interests and sharing her vibrant personality with the Banditos Gaming family. Her enthusiasm and positive energy make her a cherished member of the group.
Thank you, Shawna, for being such an integral part of the Banditos Gaming community!
About Banditos Gaming
Banditos Gaming is a registered 501(c)(3) social and educational non-profit organization dedicated to promoting play, community development, and learning through games. We believe in the transformative power of games to unite people, foster growth, and provide valuable educational experiences.
Our Mission:
Promote the activity of PLAY through games.
Encourage COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT through play.
Advocate for LEARNING through gameplay.
We host board games, card games, and tabletop games at various Panera Bread locations and other venues. Banditos Gaming is funded by memberships, donations, and revenue from affiliates and partners like Panera Bread.
Values Statement:
Safety: Prioritizing a secure and welcoming environment.
Fun: Ensuring all activities are enjoyable and engaging.
Happiness: Creating moments of joy and satisfaction.
Comfort: Providing a relaxed atmosphere for all participants.
Memberships:
Monthly Banditos Gaming Membership: $5.00 per month
Yearly Banditos Gaming Membership: $50.00 per year
Join us today and become a part of a community that values play, development, and learning. Your support helps us fund various charities, including Tabletop Alliance, Child's Play, UnboxEd Afterschool Program, Meeples for Peeples, and Board Games for the Better.
Support Our Mission: Please consider making a donation to support Banditos Gaming and help us continue to provide a positive, inclusive environment where everyone can experience the joy of games.
Through dedicated leaders like Fred Cabrera, Banditos Gaming continues to thrive as a beacon of community and fun. Join us in celebrating the joy of gaming and the power of play to bring people together.