Against All Odds

10 April 2013Tokoni A, Hope '13

This past Saturday night, Ellis House opened their doors to their fellow students and for just one night, their dormitory was transformed into a vibrant casino! Boys arrived dressed up in their classiest suits, and girls were adorned in their finest dresses and jewels.

The main floor was home to the casino. The dim lights combined with the cries of the gamblers – whether due to elation or dejection – created an exciting environment that is crucial for a successful open house. At the beginning of the night, every gambler was given $700 in Ellis money. If favoured by chance, by the end of the night they would earn the $15,000 required to enter the raffle (the prize being a free pizza). Students stood around blackjack, poker and roulette tables, faces glowing in the lamplight while the dealers dealt the cards that would decide their fate. Wyrd! Alliances were formed, rivalry was fierce, and laughter was abundant.

Downstairs, for those not interested in gambling, was the dance floor. Jonathan CH and Joel B kept the upbeat tunes playing all night while students danced under the multi-coloured lights. When students tired themselves out, they could go upstairs to refresh themselves with a drink and feast on a slice of pizza.

Unlike other houses, Ellis uses the same open house theme every year. When asked about why they choose the casino theme year after year, the Ellis boys proudly replied that it was a tradition – a tradition that has upheld for over ten years. “We raise the bar every year,” Calvin H, Ellis ’13 stated. From an outsider’s perspective, I can say that there is a reason why they have stayed true to the casino theme, year after year – not only does it give Brentonians a chance to dress their best, it also offers activities for students to do outside of dancing and visiting their friend’s rooms.

Thank you Ellis House for all the work you put into making our Saturday night a great one, and congratulations on hosting yet another successful open house. We’ll see you at the casino next year!

Tokoni A, Hope ’13.

Where Students Choose To Be