The show itself was one of the most memorable nights for everyone who attended, and that is what I will remember the most. 

I wrote an article earlier this year about lack of involvement and interest from the NDA community when it came to events, but Saturday night was different. 

This is an appreciation essay to our community for their support of this event, and the support of the hard work by so many to make the show as memorable as it was. 

The show was not sold out, but there sure were not that many seats open when the show started. Frau Laaksonen is on record saying, “We sold an additional $715 worth of tickets at the door the night of the show.”

The atmosphere was electric, the crowd was into every act and the contestants thriving off of that delivered a phenomenal show. 

This is exactly what I mentioned in the previous article, the experience is enhanced with a large crowd on hand to witness it, and that is what made Saturday night so special. 

I am extremely happy for everyone involved with the show for the performance they put on and extremely proud of our community for the way they supported it.

That is how it should be, a major event with a packed house to enjoy it. Let’s make this the norm from now on!–Dominic D’Angelo ’25

************************

My first time going to Academy Awards was one of the most entertaining experiences I have ever had here at NDA as a senior in high school. I was able to attend the show with a small group of friends, and I was also able to watch another group of my friends perform.

To make a night out of it my friends and I went to get dinner beforehand, and then met there and went straight to our seats to wait for the show to begin. 

The whole show was a very immersive experience–and very comedic as well. The videos were all creative in their own ways, and they were able to portray that contestant’s personality and interests. All of the contestants had different approaches when entertaining the audience and the judges.

My favorite part of the show was when they had to come on stage to perform their acts. A couple of my favorites were Amelia Chrudimsky’s One Direction skit, Nick Gruesen’s tap-dancing skit, and James Flanigan’s boxing skit.   

I encourage everyone whether you are a freshman or a senior to attend Academy Awards. To make more things fun you can also help someone in their act, be an MC, or a rampeteer. I wish I took more time to try out or enter my name to eventually be more included within the whole process of watching others create their skits and videos.

But overall the Academy Awards is something I will remember for a long time, and I will continue to share my experience with other friends and family!–Zoe Holubar ’25

********************

As the senior judge for Academy Awards this year, I would recommend all students to attend the show. 

I was selected as a judge to represent the graduating class of 2025. There are four student judges to represent the four grades and four staff judges along with a special celebrity judge. 

I’ve never had a role in the Academy Awards show before, but I had dreamed of being an emcee. Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected, but the panel of teachers running the event, including Mrs.Brown and Mrs.Hinch, selected me to judge. 

I was very shocked but excitedly accepted. I was warned to keep my status as a judge confidential, so I didn’t know any of the other judges until I arrived Saturday night. This also kept the contestants in the dark, so they would not try to influence my votes.

The acts were amazing and judging was extremely difficult. I had to rate different categories like creativity and entertainment value on the video, talent acts, and question responses for all fourteen contestants. 

This role showed me a whole new side of the Academy Awards, and I feel as though I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I hadn’t gone the previous years as someone in the crowd. 

So with all my experience, I urge all students to attend to get the full value of the spectacular event– just in case you get chosen as a judge.–Ally Paprocki ’25

*********************

Greta Fangman,  senior at NDA, participated in the Academy Awards senior dance last weekend. 

The girls practiced for two weeks on their routine and choreography, but Fangman was disappointed that no senior boys participated.

“It is your senior year. You should participate in it,” said Fangman. 

She believed it would have been a more significant senior class event if some of the boys had at least shown some school spirit and participated.--Viviana Perez