In Powell River 180 grade 12 students graduating from Brooks Secondary School chose to attend the Rotary Club of Powell River’s Casino for Dry Grad after graduating ceremonies at a local recreation complex. Photo shows Quinn Carlson, Brooks Interact president and Grade 11 student, encouraging grads to try their luck at the Crown and Anchor wheel.
Rotary started the Dry Grad Casino more than five decades ago after Rotarians built the tables and wheels in a members workshop and purchased blackjack cloths for the tables.
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| Club president as well as District Governor Elect Jan Gisborne and Rotarian Dave Gustafson acted as casino bankers, handing out $3,000 in “funny” money to each grad who wanted to participate in the casino games |
The Casino equipment and supplies are stored in a club locker and delivered to the recreation complex where Dry Grad is held.
Other community groups have used the casino equipment over the years for charity and fun purposes.
Other community groups have used the casino equipment over the years for charity and fun purposes.
A relatively new Rotarian Dawn Shultz headed up this program in 2024 and recruited Rotary volunteers for every aspect of the evening.
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| Rotarian Dawn Schultz, left, organized the Dry Grad Casino and spent time at the tables dealing blackjack to graduating students |