Get ready for FameCades! As the school year begins to come to somewhat of a close, Tigers are starting to get excited for Aquacades, the annual NDB tradition that celebrates school spirit and class bonds. This year, the theme is FameCades, and it is going to be held on Friday, April 24. While this is a really exciting event, there is a lot of hard work and essential preparation that goes on behind the scenes.
To prepare for the event, there are countless hours choosing the annual theme, finalizing music, painting backdrops, choreographing routines and making sure that everything runs smoothly.
ASB Marketing and Communications Director Finley Wilke-Hiland is hard at work planning and coordinating with participating groups on music and other details.
“So, in ASB … we kind of all work together because there’s so many things we have to do,” said Wilke-Hiland. “We’re all helping with the backdrop, and we send lots of emails to the classes and ensure that everyone’s on top of it and is informed on what’s going on. And, we also are going to start working on our actual routine. So, we’re going to all help to plan it.”
While FameCades will surely be a night to remember for all, a lot of preparation from staffulty is put in as well. Director of Student Life and Leadership Alisia Bergholm plays a key role in the preparation for this night, acting as a bridge between student leadership and school administration. As the key manager for the event, she puts in extensive hours coordinating schedules, overseeing safety protocols and managing the various logistical needs that come with such a large-scale production.
“… I oversee all of Aquacades, and ASB and myself start as early as October in preparing for Aquacades,” said Bergholm.
Bergholm’s dedication helps maintain the structure of the event, allowing students’ creativity to shine while making sure that it is a safe and memorable night for everyone.
Something to point out is that Aquacades is not only run by ASB and staffulty, but it is also a collective effort made possible by many fellow Tigers. Throughout the preparation period, there are numerous opportunities for students to get involved and leave their mark on the event.
Designing, sketching and painting the class backdrop is one of the most creative and visible ways to be a part of the process, transforming a simple piece of fabric into a symbol of class pride. There can never be too many people helping as the large-scale project benefits from every hand and artistic perspective.
Senior Autumn Deetz-Rodriguez is one of the dedicated volunteers for her class backdrop, leadin by example and showing how individual contributions help bring the entire class’ vision to life.
“I’m doing two things. Right now, on the backdrop committee, we’re just prepping our backdrop, making sure everything’s ready, since Aquacades is coming pretty fast,” said Deetz-Rodriguez. “And, I’m also doing group swim with my friends. So, we’ve been practicing, figuring out our schedule and making sure we have props and costumes and everything,”
Overall, FameCades is much more than just a single night of performances; it is the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration and school spirit.
From the planning by ASB, like ASB President Olivia McGlynn, to the vital administrative support from Bergholm, to the creative contributions of student volunteers like Deetz-Rodriguez, every member of the community plays a part in its success.
Whether through painting a backdrop, perfecting a routine or creating props and music, the preparation for FameCades ensures it will be a truly unforgettable night for everyone in the NDB community.
