An echo of cards smacking down on tables joined the glitters of a disco ball in dancing around the walls of the Mabel Brown Room as the Keene State Social Activities Council (SAC) held its Casino Night on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The event ran from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and featured a red carpet check-in, five tables for card games and a Las Vegas theme complete with a large cardboard sign of the city’s name propped up on the room’s stage.
Students picked any of the five game tables throughout the night and engaged in games with their peers that spawned laughter, competition and fun. The three most successful players of the night were eligible to choose from three prizes – a Roku TV setup worth $30, a pair of Bluetooth headphones worth $50 or a Keurig machine worth $100. The first place winner had the opportunity to choose from any of the three prizes first, followed by the selection of the second place winner.
Junior Patrick Dumont, junior and SAC Traditions Coordinator, coordinated the event. “I got the idea from a past event we put on like this and was able to work with Vertical Entertainment to put the event on,” Dumont said. “We’ve worked with Vertical in the past to put on the Fall Festival– they provided us with the blow-ups. They are very easy to work with.”
“I hope this event gives students time out of their rooms and away from studying,” Dumont said. When asked what Dumont would say to those considering getting involved with SAC, he said, “It’s a great idea to join. Student involvement is something we are missing a lot of on campus, so it’s always good to give students ways to get more involved, and that’s what we do.”
Kerrin Shea, senior and president of SAC, helped the event run smoothly. “This is a traditional event we’ve done at SAC and it was a fun process to put it on – everyone loves gambling, so it’s a great event.”
“I hope students have fun, we [SAC] work hard to put on fun events, and we [had] a great turnout tonight,” Shea said. When asked what she would say to those considering joining SAC, Shea said, “Go for it! If you genuinely like to plan things, it would be a great fit for you. I joined because I wanted to get out of my dorm and be a part of something bigger, and SAC has given me that.”
Jonathan McPherson, a first-year student, said he attended the event because he saw a poster for the event advertised in the Night Owl Cafè, and thought the event looked fun.
Logan Paranto, a 2025 Keene State alum, was a dealer at the event for the Texas hold ‘em table. Paranto now works for Vertical Entertainment after graduating and helped to coordinate the event between SAC and the company.
“I enjoy dealing, and the atmosphere is a lot of fun,” Paranto said when asked what he liked most about the event.
SAC will continue to put on events for students to get involved and enjoy themselves throughout the year. Those interested in learning more about upcoming events can check out the council’s Instagram, @ksc_sac.
Serena Taylor can be reached at
staylor@kscequinox.com
