By Riya Bhattarai

     Dances are one of the most anticipated events of the school year for many students. 

     Homecoming occurs at the beginning of the school year, often in September, while the Winter Formal tends to happen mid-year. 

     Although this year, the date has changed a bit, and the dance is occurring later than previous years as it is being held March 1 according to Student Council adviser, Dana Kester.

     Usually like previous years, dances happen in the school gymnasium, and this year’s winter formal will keep the same tradition. 

     ¨SMFHS Commons and Gym [is where the dance will take place],” senior Elena Kimmich, chair of Student Council said. 

     Food and drinks are also another important factor in a formal dance. 

    ¨We will have free cookies and water, [and] Kona Ice and Rowdy Beans will be there for purchase,¨ Kimmich stated. 

      This year’s Winter Formal date has had some problems in the planning area as it was changed “a few times this year due to building scheduling issues,” Kester said.  “We had to work around basketball schedules, Speech and Debate tournaments and Foodie Palooza.” 

     Planning and creating an event may seem like a semi-easy thing; however, once a theme is chosen, there is quite a bit of work that goes into finalizing everything in order for the event to be successful. 

    “Once they choose a theme, they create a vision board for inspiration and also to ensure their design is cohesive. From there, they think about the different areas that need to be decorated: the staircases, lockers, trophy cases, windows and tables. The committee chairs oversee the decor decisions, but committee members work on their own areas,” Kester said. 

     Kimmich discussed how each committee member is given an area of the commons to decorate, and she is in charge of designing that part of things.  

     ¨This year, each are is a different part of ‘Wonderland,’ so the entrance staircase is themed ‘The Garden’ where Alice is seen, and the lockers are themed ‘Mad Hatter.’ We work with Mrs. Sedor to sell tickets and make purchases. The committee makes sure all of our advertisements are approved and fit the theme,¨ Kimmich said.  

     Student council members will be busy the morning of March 1 preparing the commons and surrounding areas for the dance later that evening. Kester said about 40 students will participate in the decorating from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., and will work in their designated areas to make the commons suitable for a magical night. 

      “Student Council is a well-oiled machine on the morning of a dance,” Kester said.