Every year, South Hunterdon Regional High School comes alive with excitement and energy for Night at the Nest, a tradition that brings together students, faculty, and families for a night of competition, performances, and unforgettable memories. 

The process of creating the dances for Night at the Nest is no small feat. It requires creativity, collaboration, and hours of practice. According to Anika Balog, Blue Team Junior Captain, the captains all work together to create the perfect routine. “All the captains met up, made dances, and figured out what works with the songs,” Anika explained.

Similarly, Julia Stoff, Blue Team Color Captain, credited Addison Koveloski, Blue Team Sophomore Captain and competitive dancer, for providing valuable creative input. “Addison Koveloski does a great job at helping us out,” Julia said. “She has a different take to it.” The dances are more than just silly dance moves, they are a reflection of the captains’ creativity and dedication, mixing many different inspirations into a cohesive and exciting performance.

Preparation for Night at the Nest extends beyond choreographing dances, it requires rigorous and consistent practice. According to Kadie Fleming, Steel Team Color Captain, Steel Team practices are a balance of hard work and fun.“They’re like an hour and a half to two hours long,” Kadie said. “We like to run through our dances, and then we work on some stunts. We take lots of breaks — ya know, all that jazz.” Anika detailed the structured approach the Blue Team captains take to teach the routines. “We teach each dance in order so people can understand it,” she said. “We go through it step-by-step, then slowly add music and keep doing it until everyone gets it.”

Being a captain comes with a unique set of challenges and rewards. Kadie reflected on the increased pressure she’s felt this year. “It's fun, but it's really stressful,” Kadie admitted. “Especially as color captain this year. Other years, I feel like I could just drift by and help when needed, but this year I had to do all the ordering and choreographing. It’s a lot, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.” For Anika, the focus is on being a supportive leader. “Being a positive role model and being someone people can come to if they need help with a dance or anything — that’s really important,” Anika said. Julia highlighted the balance between responsibility and fun. “Being a leader of a team is a lot of work,” she noted, “but in the end, it all works out and tends to be fun.”

As Night at the Nest approaches, excitement and anticipation build among the captains and their teams. Kadie is eager for the competitive spirit of the evening. “I’m excited for the events,” Kadie said. “I love to compete. Even if we don’t win, it’s fine — I just like to compete. And I’m excited to do the dance and see all of our hard work pay off”. Anika is most looking forward to the energy of the crowd. “I love dancing for the crowd and seeing their reactions. The energy is always so high,” Anika said. Julia is ready to win. “I’m looking forward to having fun, winning, and seeing all of our hard work pay off,” Julia said with a smile.

Night at the Nest isn’t just a night of competition and performance, it’s a night to show off the hard work, creativity, and teamwork of South Hunterdon’s students. The dances, games, and overall spirit make it a memorable highlight of the school year. For the captains and their teams, the journey is just as rewarding as the night itself.