As winter approaches and Christmas tunes fill the air, students can experience the cheer of the season by dancing their way to Cal High’s winter-themed semi-formal.

This year’s winter semi-formal has officially been set for Saturday, Jan. 11, from 7-10 p.m.

“We’re providing this for the students, like the freshmen and sophomores who want to get dressed up [before the school year ends], since they don’t get to go to prom or ball unless they get asked,” said leadership teacher Scott Corso.

The formal will replace the Sadie Hawkins dance that has been held in previous years because feedback last year indicated that students disliked the casual theme “Semesta Fiesta” and instead preferred fancier dances that would give them a chance to dress up, said Corso.

“I think a winter formal is better than Sadie’s because girls are too scared to ask guys to dances,” said junior Alzek Barco.

The dance will be held in the event center with a DJ to set the mood with music, while activities and entertainment similar to those during this year’s Homecoming will take place in the first floor of the main building.

“I really like the layout, how all the activities will be laid out in the main building and then lead to the dance in the event center,” said leadership student senior Molly Williams.

Because of the positive reaction to the photo booths at Homecoming, the booths will also be at the winter formal.

“The photo booths [at Homecoming] were great and it’s even better that they were free,” said Barco.

Because of the cold weather, the video games truck will be removed from its original location outside. Instead, a variety of classic arcade games, one being a free claw machine, will be held in the first floor of the main building, said Corso.

Additionally, dance contracts will be eliminated.

“Students should know how to act,” said Corso. “We want to make [signing up for the dance] as easy and seamless as possible.”

Guests, however, must fill out a guest contract including dance rule details before attending the dance.  Each student will be allowed to bring one guest.

The system of picking up tickets has also been removed because of the reoccurring chaos of students crowding leadership class the day before and days after ticket pick-up deadlines. Students instead will only have to present their ID card the day of the dance to be admitted, said Corso.

Further improvements include a more efficient coat check system in the main building to keep students from standing in the cold during the chilly winter weather.

“Personally I think the food [will be the best part],” said sophomore and leadership student Max Walker.

Students will get to dig into a tasty set of food choices including assorted cookies, cream puffs, and hot chocolate, all also located in the first floor of the main building.

As for the dress code, it will be semi-formal in general.

“Semi-formal is similar to Homecoming, like short dresses and slacks with a dress shirt,” said leadership student senior Kylie Ortega. “No jeans or casual tops. People have to look nice.”

Doors to enter the dance will be shut by 8:30 p.m. and open for people to leave by 9:45 p.m.  Activities and entertainment will run all throughout the beginning to the end of the dance.

Tickets will be available online at Cal’s web store in Dec. and will continue until Jan. 8, the Thursday before the dance. For those with ASB, the price will be $15 and for those without, as well as guests, $20.

There will be a spirit week, including dress up days and fun activities, during lunch the week leading up to the dance, to get kids pumped for Cal’s winter semi-formal, Corso said.

“I’m so excited,” said leadership student senior Emilie Heisel, “I’ve never experienced the ‘unknown’ winter formal before. The best part will be the theme actually meaning something.”

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