News
Schoolyard Social: Where Competition Builds Community
Brooklyn startup launches app that transforms local tournaments into real-world connections—and proves people are hungry for authentic experiences beyond the screen.
Remember when competition meant showing up somewhere real, not just climbing digital leaderboards from your couch? A Brooklyn-based startup is betting that nostalgia—and a growing appetite for genuine human connection—can reshape how we play, compete, and build community in 2025.
The Problem: We’re More Connected Than Ever, Yet More Isolated
Schoolyard Social launched its flagship app in October 2025 with a simple premise: technology should bring people together in person, not keep them glued to screens. In an era of endless scrolling, algorithmic friendships, and virtual everything, the platform offers something refreshingly analog—real people, real competition, real community.
“People are craving real-life ways to meet and belong,” said Win Smith, CEO and co-founder. “Competition gives you a reason to show up, and there’s less pressure to ‘click’ socially. Instead of swiping or making small talk at a bar, players build community around a shared interest.”
It’s a pitch that resonates. In just one month since going live, Schoolyard Social doubled both its revenue and number of tournaments compared to the entire previous year. From 800-player basketball tournaments at Barclays Center during the Aptos Crypto Conference to Sunday pickleball leagues sponsored by Sixpoint Brewery, the app is proving that people will show up—literally—when given the right reason.
How It Works: Tournament Tech for Everyone
Built in partnership with ISBX, the digital product agency behind work for Nike and other major brands, Schoolyard Social combines everything you need to run a tournament into one streamlined platform: hosting tools, bracketing, scoring, leaderboards, messaging, and payment processing.
The genius is in the simplicity. Anyone can organize a local, skill-based tournament—no tech background required. Whether it’s college beer pong leagues, corporate wellness competitions, neighborhood bakeoffs, or city-wide basketball brackets, the app handles the logistics so organizers can focus on creating memorable experiences.
And here’s the kicker: cash prizes. Players aren’t just competing for bragging rights; they’re getting paid for doing what they love. It’s a model that turns casual players into invested community members and one-off events into recurring traditions.
The Origin Story: Whiteboard Brackets to Venture-Backed Startup
Schoolyard Social wasn’t born in a boardroom—it was born from real demand the founders couldn’t keep up with.
“When we started, we were organizing events with whiteboard brackets and Instagram buzz,” said Harry Stanton, co-founder and COO. “The interest quickly outpaced us; venues, clubs, companies and creators all started asking us to organize their tournaments. So we built an app anyone can use to scale what hosts were already doing manually.”
The founding trio brings serious credentials to the table. Smith is a former Wesleyan University tennis captain and Sony Music executive producer. Stanton is a former NCAA lacrosse national champion and early hire at Fanatics Betting and Gaming. Peter de Saint Phalle, the third co-founder and CMO, is an experiential marketing veteran whose agency work includes global campaigns for Ogilvy and George P. Johnson.
Together, they’ve combined backgrounds in sports, technology, and brand activation to build something that feels both nostalgic and necessary—a platform that turns everyday rivalry into community.
The Brand Play: Authentic Engagement Beyond Digital Impressions
Schoolyard Social isn’t just attracting players—it’s attracting brands looking for deeper customer relationships. Sponsors including Sixpoint, vitaminwater, PaddleSmash, and Justworks are partnering to activate products and build brand awareness through live demos and in-office events.
“Just as people crave lasting connections, brands want sustainable relationships with customers,” said de Saint Phalle. “Schoolyard Social lets brands meet audiences where they play, activating products and creating real-life connections that deepen over time—not just experiential advertising or fleeting digital impressions.”
It’s a smart positioning. In a world where digital ad fatigue is real and consumers are increasingly skeptical of online marketing, brands that show up in authentic, community-driven spaces have a competitive advantage. Schoolyard Social offers that access—not through banner ads or sponsored posts, but through meaningful participation in the moments that matter to players.
What’s Next: Campus Expansion and Nationwide Growth
The company recently raised $860,000 through an oversubscribed SAFE note to accelerate growth. Expansion plans include a nationwide College Ambassador Program and collegiate events at business schools like Stanford and Columbia.
It’s a strategic move. College campuses are natural breeding grounds for competitive social experiences, and students are often the early adopters who set cultural trends. If Schoolyard Social can embed itself in campus culture, it has a shot at becoming the go-to platform for a generation that’s increasingly vocal about wanting less screen time and more real-world connection.
Why This Matters: The Post-Digital Playbook
Schoolyard Social represents something bigger than just another app. It’s part of a growing movement toward what the company calls “the post-digital age”—a recognition that while technology has connected us in unprecedented ways, it’s also left many of us feeling more isolated than ever.
The platform’s tagline says it all: “Competition tech designed to get you off your phone.”
In a media landscape dominated by endless content consumption and passive scrolling, Schoolyard Social offers active participation. In a social ecosystem built on curated personas and performative posting, it offers genuine interaction. In a world where “community” has become a buzzword stripped of meaning, it offers the real thing—people showing up, competing, connecting, and building something together.
That’s not just good business. It’s a blueprint for how technology can serve humanity instead of the other way around.
The Bottom Line
Schoolyard Social is betting that the future of social connection isn’t more sophisticated algorithms or immersive virtual worlds—it’s getting people back in the same physical space, doing things they love, with other people who share their passion.
If the early results are any indication, they might be onto something. Because at the end of the day, no amount of digital engagement can replace the feeling of showing up, competing, and belonging to something real.
Ready to turn your passion into community? Download the Schoolyard Social app on the App Store or Google Playand find your next tournament.
For more information about Schoolyard Social, visit their press kit or explore upcoming tournaments in your area.
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Food and Beverage
Millions of Eggs Recalled Over Possible Salmonella Risk: What Consumers Need to Know
A major egg recall is affecting nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold under several popular brands. Here’s how to determine if your eggs are included and what steps to take if they are.
News You Can Use This Moment!
Consumers are being urged to check their refrigerators after a major recall involving nearly 1.6 million dozen shell eggs due to the potential presence of Salmonella Enteritidis, a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness.
The voluntary recall, announced by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., affects white shell eggs and brown cage-free eggs produced at two Texas farms and distributed between June 6 and July 3, 2026. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the eggs were sold through grocery stores and foodservice distributors in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
What Brands Are Included?
The recalled eggs were sold under several familiar brand names, including:
- Kroger
- Simple Truth
- Brookshire’s
- Country Morning
- Sunups
Not every carton under these brands is affected. Consumers should look for:
- Plant Code: P-1950 or 0840962
- Julian Dates: 157 through 184
- Best By/Sell By Dates: July 20, 2026, through August 17, 2026
Why the Recall Matters
Salmonella can cause symptoms including:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually last four to seven days. While many healthy adults recover without treatment, infections can become severe in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multistate outbreak involving 98 confirmed illnesses across 17 states, resulting in 26 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. Investigators say the recalled eggs are linked to part of the outbreak, although they do not account for every reported illness.
What Should You Do?
If you have eggs matching the recalled codes:
- Do not eat them.
- Return them to the store for a refund or dispose of them safely.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the carton.
- Clean and sanitize any refrigerator shelves, containers, or kitchen surfaces the eggs may have touched.
If you have already eaten the eggs and develop symptoms of Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are severe or persist.
Are Arizona Consumers Affected?
The recalled products were officially distributed in six states, and Arizona is not listed among the primary distribution states. However, because food products can move through wholesalers, travelers, or secondary retailers, Arizona consumers who recently purchased eggs while traveling—or who received eggs from family or friends in affected states—should still check the carton codes.
The Bottom Line
Food recalls are an important part of protecting public health. Taking a few moments to inspect the eggs in your refrigerator could help prevent a serious illness. If your carton matches the recalled plant codes and date range, don’t take the risk—return it or throw it away.
STM Daily News will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Related Resources
- FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts
- FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations
- CDC: Salmonella Information
- FoodSafety.gov Consumer Resources
Entertainment
The End of an Era: Six Flags Magic Mountain Says Goodbye to an Original Piece of Park History
Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff
For millions of Southern Californians, a visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain meant more than just riding roller coasters. It was a rite of passage—a place where families spent summer vacations, teenagers celebrated graduations, and thrill seekers chased ever-faster rides.
Now, one of the last remaining reminders of the park’s opening days is preparing to disappear.
According to KTLA, Los Angeles County has approved demolition permits for the former Laughing Dragon Restaurant, an iconic structure perched atop Samurai Summit that has overlooked Magic Mountain for more than five decades.
Although the building has been vacant since 2008, its demolition marks the end of another chapter in one of California’s most famous amusement parks.
A Restaurant with Deep Roots
When Magic Mountain welcomed its first guests in 1971, the building opened as the elegant Four Winds Steakhouse.
Unlike the quick-service restaurants common in today’s theme parks, Four Winds offered guests a sit-down dining experience high above the park, complete with sweeping views of the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley.
In 1988, after the opening of the park’s suspended roller coaster Ninja, the restaurant was renamed The Laughing Dragon, embracing the area’s Asian-inspired theme.
For years, it became a familiar landmark for guests making the climb to Samurai Summit.
Eventually, changing guest habits and the park’s evolving dining strategy led to the steakhouse’s closure in 2006. The building briefly operated as a Papa John’s Pizza location before closing permanently in 2008.
Since then, it has quietly watched generations of visitors pass by.
More Than an Empty Building
To younger guests, the vacant structure may have seemed like little more than an abandoned restaurant.
To longtime visitors, however, it represented something much larger.
Magic Mountain has transformed dramatically since its opening more than 50 years ago. Wooden roller coasters gave way to towering steel giants. New technology replaced classic attractions. Entire themed areas evolved with each generation.
Yet the former Laughing Dragon remained—a silent reminder of what the park looked like during its earliest years.
For many fans, it was one of those familiar landmarks that helped connect today’s park with its past.
Samurai Summit Continues to Change
The demolition comes during a period of significant change for the Samurai Summit section of the park.
Nearby, Superman: Escape from Krypton closed in 2024 after decades of launching riders nearly 400 feet into the air. Meanwhile, Tatsu continues to dominate the skyline with one of the world’s most celebrated flying roller coasters.
Construction is also underway on Magic Mountain’s newest attraction—a Vekoma Thrill Glider Roller Coaster, expected to debut in 2027. While the park has not announced what will replace the Laughing Dragon site, many enthusiasts believe the area could become part of future expansion plans.
The Challenge of Preserving Theme Park History
Unlike museums or historic landmarks, amusement parks are constantly reinventing themselves.
Older attractions are removed to make room for larger, faster, and more technologically advanced experiences. Restaurants close as guest preferences change. Buildings that once bustled with activity can quickly become obsolete.
From a business standpoint, redevelopment makes sense.
But every demolition also removes another tangible connection to the park’s history.
Many Disney attractions have been preserved through photographs, documentaries, and archives. Regional parks like Magic Mountain often receive far less historical attention, making the loss of original structures even more significant for longtime fans.
Looking Ahead
Magic Mountain has not revealed what, if anything, will replace the Laughing Dragon building.
Whether the site becomes part of a new attraction, additional guest amenities, or another expansion remains to be seen.
What is certain is that another piece of the park’s 1971 identity is about to disappear.
For those who grew up visiting Magic Mountain, it’s another reminder that while roller coasters continue to evolve, nostalgia often rides alongside progress.
Did You Know?
- 🎢 Magic Mountain opened on May 29, 1971.
- 🥩 The building originally housed the Four Winds Steakhouse.
- 🐉 It became The Laughing Dragon after Ninja opened in 1988.
- 🍕 It briefly served as a Papa John’s before closing permanently in 2008.
- 🏗️ The building sat vacant for nearly 18 years before demolition plans were approved.
STM Daily News Perspective
As someone who grew up in Southern California, I know that Magic Mountain wasn’t just another amusement park—it was part of the Southern California experience. While the biggest headlines usually focus on new roller coasters, it’s often the quieter stories, like the loss of a familiar restaurant overlooking the park, that resonate most with longtime visitors. Places like the Laughing Dragon became part of family traditions, first dates, school trips, and summer vacations. Its demolition is a reminder that every park evolves, but each change also closes another chapter of its history.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever eaten at the Four Winds or the Laughing Dragon? Do you have memories of visiting Magic Mountain in the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s?
Share your favorite Magic Mountain memories in the comments below, and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for more stories celebrating Southern California history, attractions, and the places that shaped our communities.
Related Links
jobs help wanted
Ghost Jobs: The Hidden Hiring Trend Affecting Millions of Job Seekers
Ghost jobs are becoming a growing concern for job seekers. Learn what they are, why companies post them, and how they affect hiring, the economy, and your job search.
Why You Keep Applying—But Never Hear Back
If you’ve ever spent hours tailoring your résumé for a position only to hear nothing in return, you may have encountered what’s known as a ghost job.
A ghost job is a job posting that appears active but isn’t currently being filled. While not every old or inactive listing is intentionally misleading, many remain online long after hiring has paused—or even after the position has already been filled.
The result is growing frustration among job seekers and increasing questions about the accuracy of employment data.
What Exactly Is a Ghost Job?
A ghost job is an advertised position where an employer has little or no immediate intention of hiring someone.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the company is acting maliciously. There are several reasons these listings exist.
Companies may:
- Build a database of future candidates
- Test salary expectations and available talent
- Comply with internal hiring policies
- Maintain the appearance of growth
- Delay removing listings after a hiring freeze or filled position
For applicants, however, the experience is often the same: applications disappear into a black hole.
Why Companies Post Ghost Jobs
Some employers say maintaining job listings helps them prepare for future growth.
Others keep positions open because budgets haven’t been finalized or executive approval hasn’t been granted.
Recruiters may also continue collecting résumés so they’re ready when a position eventually opens.
While these reasons may make business sense, they can create unrealistic expectations for applicants actively searching for work.
The Impact on Job Seekers
Ghost jobs can have real consequences.
Many applicants spend dozens of hours:
- Researching companies
- Customizing résumés
- Writing cover letters
- Completing assessments
- Participating in interviews that never lead anywhere
The emotional toll can be significant.
Repeated silence often leaves qualified workers questioning their experience or abilities when the issue may simply be that the position was never actively available.
How Ghost Jobs Affect the Economy
The effects extend beyond individual applicants.
Employment Data Can Be Misleading
Job openings are often viewed as a sign of economic strength.
If a significant share of posted openings aren’t being actively filled, the labor market may appear stronger than it actually is.
That can influence:
- Business confidence
- Consumer confidence
- Economic forecasts
- Public policy discussions
Productivity Suffers
Job seekers spend valuable time applying for positions that may never result in interviews.
Recruiters also spend time managing applications for jobs that aren’t immediately available.
Those inefficiencies create costs for both workers and employers.
Hiring Becomes Less Efficient
When applicants lose trust in job boards, they’re less likely to apply broadly.
Companies with legitimate openings may receive fewer qualified applicants because candidates become skeptical of online listings.
Are Ghost Jobs Illegal?
Generally, no.
In most cases, employers are legally allowed to advertise positions even if they’re not hiring immediately.
However, critics argue that intentionally leaving inactive jobs online without updating their status reduces transparency and wastes applicants’ time.
Some employment experts have called for greater accountability and clearer labeling of inactive or future hiring opportunities.
How to Spot a Ghost Job
While there’s no foolproof method, these warning signs may indicate a listing isn’t actively being filled:
- The same position has been reposted for months.
- The posting never disappears.
- Employees report hiring freezes.
- The company rarely responds to applicants.
- The job description is vague or unusually generic.
Tips for Job Seekers
Instead of applying blindly:
- Focus on recently posted openings.
- Connect with recruiters or current employees.
- Research whether the company is actually expanding.
- Use networking alongside online applications.
- Follow up professionally when possible.
Quality applications often produce better results than sending hundreds of résumés.
Looking Ahead
Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for applicants to submit hundreds of applications—and for employers to post and manage thousands of job listings.
As hiring becomes increasingly automated, transparency may become one of the most valuable qualities in the recruiting process.
For both employers and job seekers, trust remains the foundation of a healthy labor market.
Related Links
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- Indeed Career Guide
- LinkedIn Talent Blog
- CareerBuilder Advice & Resources
- Monster Career Advice
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