This school year’s winter formal was held at the AV Irvine Center on Saturday Jan. 18 at 7-10 p.m. However, this year many students decided to participate in other activities and skip the dance.
Typically, when students don’t attend school dances it can be a theming issue, but this year was different. The Associate Student Body picked the dance theme of Disney’s “Tangled” to engage students and promote the dance. In previous years, almost every student had attended winter formal, however that number has decreased due to ticket prices, other school dances or venue issues.
Tickets were on sale for 80 dollars without an ASB card, but came out to over 100 dollars by the time the dance got closer. Students often complained about the prices for tickets because it was a lot of money to pay for a single night they may not enjoy. Prices add up when it comes to buying a dress or suit, hair and makeup and even transportation.
The holiday season may also play a part in students’ attendance to winter formal due to financial reasons, or students spending their money on something else they may want or need.
Jake Ricker (12) says, “I went and I had a lot of fun, but I think the tickets were a little too much because it is the same amount for prom and that’s something a lot more students go to.”
Neighboring high schools such as Dana Hills, Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach High School held their own winter formal weeks apart from ANHS. Students may have dates or friends attending those schools and would like to go with them instead. Students may enjoy other schools’ themes, friends or a change of scenery.
Two years ago, Aliso Niguel held a winter formal at the same venue. Some students said the parking was too hard to get in and out of quickly and the venue felt empty because there weren’t enough students attending. The venue separated off into different rooms and even had an extra story to it causing students to feel divided and not have enough people on the dance floor.
Raymond Harris (12) says, “Winter formal wasn’t that interesting to be honest. It was a little fun, but there wasn’t a lot going on. Everyone was kind of doing their own thing instead.”
Most students that didn’t attend the dance decided to do their own activities such as take pictures and get dinner with their friends as a replacement for winter formal.
Zach Whitfield (12) adds, “I didn’t go to winter formal, but I got dinner with my friends and went to hangout with them instead.”
