According to the Microcosm, the Aquacades was the largest women's organization on campus in 1960. The Aquacades prepared Dickinson's annual water ballet under the direction of Dotti Lee Gayner.
The 1960 Microcosm recruited two judges to select the year's Miss Microcosm. They chose Paula Shedd from among Dickinson's "prettiest girls." Her court included: Shirley Bahrs, Mary Fox, Sonja Gohn, Dottie Gayner, Susan McDowell, Joan Spire, Judith Simoni, and Mary L. Thomson. According to the Microcosm, Paula represents "the ultimate of beauty of Dickinson."