By: Emily O’Hara
Imagine a typical game of poker. You might be picturing a group of middle aged men in a dimly lit casino, the tense silence broken only by the clink of chips tossed into a pot already worth thousands of dollars. Now replace that image with a new one: a group of teenagers sitting around a kitchen table, laughing and joking as they place bets ranging from only 25¢ to $2.
Amidst the mounting pressure of college applications and schoolwork that inevitably peaks just before the holidays, Tower Hill upperclassmen have found an unexpected outlet to destress. Upon entering the senior homeroom, alongside the typical groups of students studying, relaxing, or chatting with friends, you will often find a lively poker game in progress.
In addition to these senior homeroom games, poker has grown beyond just a free period pastime. “Poker nights” have become a weekend staple for Tower Hill students, transforming basements and living rooms into poker tables scattered with chips and playing cards. Although these games can get intense, they aren’t just about having the winning hand; they’re about forming connections. “It has brought so many people together at Tower Hill,” said Sawyer Brockstedt, a Tower Hill senior. “I have spent time with so many people who I wouldn’t normally hang out with, and I feel like that togetherness is really important, especially for the senior class.”
This unexpected trend seemingly came out of nowhere. “I had never played poker before”, admits Kayden Donnelly, another Tower Hill senior. “And neither had any of my friends.” Yet now, she and her friends regularly look forward to these poker nights. “It's a game everyone can play, and it's surprisingly easy to learn,” she explained. Poker’s ease and accessibility have contributed to its popularity, creating an environment where students with a wide variety of skill levels can participate.
One of the most notable features of these nights is actually what’s missing- the phones. They are often left untouched on the table, a rare sight at any teenage hangout. Instead, everyone is fully engaged in the game, present and enjoying the moment, a refreshing shift from the usual digitally driven lives of high schoolers. For seniors just months away from graduation, these moments of unfiltered connection feel especially meaningful. More than just a game, poker has become a vital tradition for Tower Hill students, creating a space to unwind, form class connections, and share memories that will last long after the final hand is dealt.
“I go in fully expecting to lose all of the money I brought,” Sawyer jokes. “But really, it’s about so much more than that.”
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