Students showed up to the Thomas Condon Centre in their finest duds and slyest poker faces on saturday night to participate in the Student Representative Council’s annual casino night, hosted by the Saint John Knights of Columbus.
Students started the night walking in with a flush of cash (don’t worry mom and dad, it’s not tuition money) and attempted to avoid losing it all at a variety of table games manned by the Knights of Columbus members. Throughout the night students continued to gamble, winning or, most commonly, losing their temporary endowment and in the end, some cashed out as millionaires while others were not so lucky.
Prizes were given away to the winners at cash-out while others were put into a draw for the less experienced gamblers in the room, with entries determined by attendance at other frosh week activities.
“We gave away close to 15 prizes including gift cards, two 30” TV’s and a Macbook Air” says the always energetic Kjeld Conyers- Steede, this year’s orientation week coordinator.
“Going into to the night I thought I’d never win anything, nor could I win the MacBook, but when my name was called I was shaking with excitement, I couldn’t believe it.” says first year science student Nicola Bustin, winner of the MacBook Air grand prize.
Plenty of other students are very happy with their winnings, and are looking forward to tearing the plastic off of their new T.V, or iPad.
“I think it was a good orientation week, with an excellent wind up. I had received so many reviews from different students.” says Conyers-Steede.
While the event is focused on first year students it was open to all UNB Saint John undergrads with around 100 students through the doors over the course of the night.
Casino night marks the end of a very busy orientation week, and ushers in the first full week of class for UNB students.
