PVCC Wins with Casino Night

Cheshire cats, Jedi knights, wood spirits, and the undead roamed the halls of PVCC’s Main Building on the evening of Oct. 23. Some played blackjack or Texas Hold‘em, others munched on free wings and mini Snickers bars, still others took group photos and chatted over the pulsing beat of top-hits music.

The occasion that brought such creatures from their usual haunts? PVCC’s sixth annual Casino Night, sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Card tables were the focal point of the evening. Students received $60,000 in fake cash upon arrival that they could exchange for poker chips at the game tables. Blackjack was a popular choice; the eight professional-grade tables were filled almost all night. Other students tried their luck at Texas Hold‘em, Roulette, and Craps. “My favorite game is the roulette,” said student Megan Landis at the event. The zombie prom queen was enthusiastic about the evening: “It’s a lot of fun. I think I’m coming back next year.”

Students also enjoyed an oxygen bar, which featured different vials of scents that could be mixed and matched to taste, and a group photo area to capture memories of a fun night.

Costume choices ranged from low-key cowgirls to elaborate “dead maid” get-ups, Disney witches, sports heroes, and 20s flappers. At the end of the evening, three were singled out for an award. A fireman, a woodland spirit, and a Jedi knight each received a prize for their creativity.

Caroline Morns, winner of the second-place prize, had draped herself in a flowing woodland spirit gown that she made herself. “I had deer antlers laying around, and I wanted to do something with them,” she explained. So she made them part of a headpiece that was wound through with a garland of leaves.

The evening culminated in a raffle. Students bought tickets with their winnings from the card tables, then waited eagerly in for the prizes to be announced. A buzz of anticipation filled the room as SGA Vice President Nina Matkava spun the golden cage of tickets to select the winning participants.

Numerous lucky winners emerged with prizes. Many local restaurants had been generous with their donations, providing gift cards that ranged from $10 to $25. Other prizes included headphone sets and a “community grab bag” with tea, books, and other souvenirs from the area. The long-awaited grand prizes were Kindle Fire HDs, which went to Donnie Wilson, dressed as a football player, and Patrick Cottrell, who sported a cowboy get-up.

“Overall, the evening was a great success,” said SGA President Camron Perry. Personally, he said, the Halloween decorations that peered from every wall and corner were a highlight. “[It] was honestly the best experience to see the transformation that was created by the SGA.”

The whole event ran smoothly thanks to numerous hours of planning and collaboration among SGA officers and members, student clubs and volunteers. “It was a really valuable effort from all the members,” said Perry. “The teamwork was great…a lot of friendships were made from working on the event.”

Eve Nicholson, attired as a 20s flapper, agreed that the evening was one to appreciate and remember. “I’d come back,” she said.