On Thursday evening, the junior class will christen the new Roaring Twenties with the Gatsby Ball.  The Dining Room will be converted into a ballroom with dinner, live music, and dancing for the class to celebrate its studies of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  The event is an annual NDB tradition for juniors to create and present projects about the book’s 1920s setting.

“I’m excited for the Gatsby Ball because I’ll get to see everyone’s 1920’s-themed outfits and celebrate finishing the book,” junior Leah Lad said.

This year’s projects include a retelling of the novel through social media video posts and a 1920s dance performance and fashion show.  There will also be an art display and poetry reading.

A new project is the “speakeasy,” serving only root beer and snacks and playing various board and card games.  Students will have to find out where it is and know the password to get in.

There will be a 1920s-inspired menu served by Epicurean Group and live music performed by San Francisco-based musical group, Stompy Jones.

Everyone who attends is encouraged to dress up in the hair, make-up, and dress styles of the 1920s.  There will be a contest with prizes for Best Make-Up and Hair, Best Dressed, and Best Overall.

“I bought a dress from a vintage dress website, a (fake) pearl necklace from Amazon, and I’m using some heels I already had. My cousin went to NDB so I borrowed her headband. I’m going to try and do my hair in a 1920s style and the same for makeup,” junior Sarah Simmonds said. “I’m excited for the Gatsby Ball because I think it’ll be really fun to wear a 1920s dress and present our Gatsby projects.”

The first Gatsby Ball was held in 2002.  It was coordinated by the English Department Chair, now Athletic Director Jason Levine.