On May 10, the juniors and seniors gathered at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park to attend NDB’s annual prom. The doors opened at 6:30 p.m., with upperclassmen gathering inside, wearing formal attire and ready to dance.
Planning for this year’s prom started earlier this year, beginning back in the spring of 2024.
“We were changing venues from what it’s been the last few years,” says Coach Kate. “Mrs. Bergholm and I started last spring, early summer, kind of looking at different venue options, and then did a site visit at Hotel Nia.”
This year’s theme was “Welcome to Las Vegas,” and the site was decorated accordingly. There were tables for Texas Hold ‘em and blackjack with a color theme of red, black and gold. Outside the venue, there was an area for cornhole and a 360° slow-motion video booth that attendees could use to film themselves with their friends.
This was the first prom for many juniors, and students made sure the night was special.
“My favorite memory from prom was dancing with my friends and getting ready together,” said junior Cecily Rambod. “It [was] a really fun experience, and it’s something where I got to hang out with my friends and have a really good time.”
For most Monarchs, this was their second time attending a NDB prom and, this time, they went as seniors, not juniors.
“I really liked the venue this year. I thought it was a lot better than last,” said senior Maia Kawaguchi. “It’s the most fun [I’ve had] in a long time, especially with my friends, [and] you don’t have to go with a date.”
Many students did not bring dates and spent the night dancing with their friends. Students anticipate that prom will be just as fun next year, and the rising sophomore Sharks are ready to create some memories.
