On March 2, NDB held its annual Winter Formal at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City. The theme was “Through the Looking Glass,” a spin on the famous story “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. The night was filled with dancing, food, music and more as students were invited to enjoy the night.
The main draw of the night was the music and numerous genres over the four hours that the dance ran. Students were able to either dance with friends or enjoy the festivities from tables that had been set up around the dance floor.
“I liked that moment … where the DJ is playing all good songs because I feel like … people come in late and then leave early. And, so, in those times, it’s not a lot of people dancing,” said senior Jena Kawar. “But, … in the middle of the dance where everyone’s there, it’s really super fun because everyone puts in song suggestions, and it’s [a lot of] fun [for] most of us.”
The decorations were heavily associated with the theme, complete with projections of the “Alice in Wonderland” movie and table settings around the dance floor coordinated with various characters from the beloved story.
The food tables included various options, including desserts, drinks, entrées and fruit. Some fan favorites included chocolate strawberries and chicken tenders, allowing attendees to enjoy delicious food throughout the night and during dance breaks.
The photo booth allowed students to receive physical remembrances of the event, while incorporating aspects of the theme in the form of bunny ear props and other accessories. Students poured into the room throughout the night, taking pictures with friends and laughing together at their poses.
The Winter Formal Committee, comprised of the National Honor Society (NHS) and California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Boards, hosted the event. Preparations began in August, but were amplified in the second semester as the dance approached, seemingly just around the corner. Students were split into different committees that were each focused on certain parts of the dance, ranging from decorating to advertising.
“I supervise the committees, but the students really [plan] it. So, the advertising committee is in charge of advertising, and they take care of getting it out there. The food and hotel committee: They meet [and] I help them facilitate the meetings with the hotel, and then they [talk] to the hotel person planning the menu,” said CSF moderator Helen Ciernick. “If I feel I need to step in, I will, and, of course, I’m also talking to them behind the scenes at times, but it’s [about] things that the students can’t handle.”
With the freedom to plan the dance along with the guidance of Ciernick and NHS moderator Jonathan Tomczak, the Winter Formal Committee set to work organizing the event. Students were tasked with setting up before the dance and cleaning up afterward while some chose to volunteer in the coat room.
“I was really proud of [the dance],” said NHS member Maggie Blanchard. “I wish I had been on setups, so that I could have seen it a little bit more. But, I definitely thought it was pretty well decorated, [and it] definitely showed the theme really nicely. The main thing I worked on was the centerpieces, and I thought those turned out well.”
Students enjoyed a night of laughter and fun, allowing for memories to be made and anticipation for more dances.
