For many, the winter formal highlights each school year. The event usually takes place in a decorated gym, where students dressed in formal attire congregate to dance until midnight.

This campus, however, resolved to differ from the norm in a 14-year tradition that showcases the video production class. Night of the Stars (NOTS) acts as the campus? version of the Oscars, an event that provides both dinner and a show, followed by awards.

“The idea for NOTS originated when Chris Shultz (athletic director), was senior president here on campus,” C.J. Haydock, video production adviser, said. “The students always wanted a formal but it was hard to get approval for a dance from the seven churches sponsoring our school. So Chris and Eunee McEntee, who was then the leadership adviser, created the idea and it just stuck.”

This year?s Underwater Enchantment theme coincides with the later-than-usual date for NOTS, planned to take place at Cornerstone Church and the Wilson Theater, March 29.

“I’ve never been to NOTS before; I’m really excited,” Heidi Dembach, ’11, said. “I’m especially looking forward to dressing up. I would probably rather have a dance for our formal, but it should still be fun.”

In preparation for the night, each class creates a film, often a spin-off of an already produced film. Teachers then vote for award-winners in categories such as Leading Actress and Actor or Cinematography. Parents are invited to a special viewing of the four movies at 9 A.M. in Ground Zero on the day of the event, where they determine the winner of the Parent?s Choice Award.

“I went to Buchanan’s formal in January,” Tyler Duerr, ’10, said. “It was really fun, but the dancing wasn’t really dancing; it was really dirty. I’m not going this year to NOTS but I will for sure go next year.”

The freshmen, allowed 10 min. of film length, chose to remake Click and the sophomores will release a 15 min. Forrest Gump adaptation. The juniors receive a 30 min. cap for their version of Back to the Future, and the seniors finish the showing with a 45 min. recreation of Clue.

“This is my first year being as involved as I am in the movie,” Stephen Willems, ’08, said. “It’s really stressful because we still have to edit. Although the due date is tomorrow, we’re probably going to turn it in on Friday night and the viewing is Saturday morning so we’re really pressed for time.”

“By far, this is going to be our best movie yet,” Willems said. “This is the first year we’ve had an actual script and put a lot of planning into it.”

Pictures will begin at 5 P.M., followed by a catered dinner of steak and mashed potatoes or chicken and pilaf, with mixed veggies, served at 6 P.M.

After the dinner, held in the banquet hall of the Cornerstone Church Conference Center, students will walk across the street to Wilson Theater for the premiers of each film, with the presentation of awards concluding the evening around 11 P.M.

“NOTS is an unique alternative for students,” Haydock said. “It gives them the opportunity to work together while showcasing certain programs. It creates a sense of community on campus.”

For more information about class movies and NOTS, check out Benjamin Dang’s March 25 article, Seniors film murder mystery, Brittany Shaffer’s Junior film travels time, Austin Ward’s Click remake defines freshman film, Suzanna Quiring’s Sophomore filmmakers overcomes stress, obstacles and the March 14 Feather editorial, NOTS produces red carpet evening.

A picture from the senior filming may be viewed in the photo section under Seniors got a clue?.