Ace’s third painting party for Make-A-Wish

Welcome to the third annual Ace Painting Party — where slipping is part of the fun, creativity has no rules and even the most serious athletes trade skates and sticks for paintbrushes.

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 26, the ice at Midco Arena didn’t look much like ice at all. Between 3 and 5 p.m., it turned into a sprawling canvas: splashed with color, dotted with tiny handprints and filled with laughter that echoed off the rafters.

The event — free to attend, with free-will donations benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation — has slowly become one of those traditions people circle on their calendars. Sponsored by Nyber’s ACE and now led by Augustana’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), it is equal parts community gathering and colorful chaos. 

For parents like Jen Dreizehn, who graduated from Augustana at the end of fall 2025, the event offers something more than just a fun afternoon.

“My son has never heard of the Make-A-Wish Foundation before, so it gives me the opportunity to explain to him what this is all about and the kids that they support,” Dreizehn said.

It’s the blend of joy and purpose that gives the event its heartbeat. Augustana Athletics, in partnership with the NCAA, has been supporting Make-A-Wish for nearly two decades. This year alone, the Athletics Department has raised over $10,000 — enough to grant at least one wish to a child with a critical illness. The goal now? $30,000, and a continued spot at the top of NCAA Division II giving. 

On the ice, those numbers fade. 

Instead, there are kids sprawled on their stomachs, carefully painting shapes that may or may not resemble anything recognizable. There are parents laughing as they try to keep their footing. There are student athletes kneeling down to help, chatting and occasionally getting roped into decorating a masterpiece.

“One thing I realized is that all of the guys, whether from the football team or the hockey team, or even the ladies — everyone is coming up to the kids and talking to them almost in like a big brother, big sister way,” Dreizehn said. “I feel like, especially for my son, he loves that.”

For junior Kate Aday, a member of the cheer squad, the appeal is simple.

“It’s good to just have fun, and parents get to watch their kids have fun,” Aday said. “I mean, when else do kids get to paint ice and go crazy?”

That freedom to be loud, messy and completely unconcerned with staying inside the lines is part of what keeps people coming back. 

Senior Emily Fostervoll, Aday’s teammate, who has worked at previous events supporting Make-A-Wish, said she appreciates the community who chooses to show up time and time again.

“It’s always fun to see some of the same people, but honestly, there’s always new faces too, which is exciting,” Fostervoll said. 

That might just be the quiet magic of the whole event: something small, something simple, something that doesn’t ask much of anyone except to show up. Fifth-year Annika Meyer, the cheer and dance representative for SAAC, believes in that “magic.”

“I just hope that no matter what, people have the chance to escape from the outside world struggles and their personal struggles to just be a part of a community,” Meyer said.

On a sheet of ice turned multicolored, that escape seems almost tangible.

“What we’re doing here is a reflection of who we are not only as athletes but as people, and I think that no matter what, helping a family in difficult times by just showing up is the least we can do,” Meyer said.

By the end of the afternoon, the ice is no longer pristine. It’s alive with brushstrokes, character and memories that can’t be replicated.

If you missed Ace’s painting party this year, there’s still a way to contribute to Augustana’s efforts through their Make-A-Wish campaign. 

If you’re planning ahead for next time, Dreizehn offers a bit of practical wisdom.

“Come early to mark your territory on the ice,” Dreizehn said. “Wear slip-proof  shoes and participate.”

For two hours, the rules are simple: grab some paint, don’t worry about the mess and help make a wish come true.