Planning a winter formal dance may look effortless from the dance floor, but behind the scenes it takes weeks of preparation, problem-solving and teamwork from staff members determined to make the night unforgettable. By the time students arrived dressed in formal attire, the efforts behind the scenes were nearly invisible. Music filled the room, colored lights reflected off carefully arranged decorations.

“The main point of the Winter Formal is for underclassmen who aren’t able to attend prom or students who just want to go to two dances,” Student Council Adviser, Rebecca Childers said.

For some students, winter formal was more than just another school dance. Not everyone could attend prom, whether because of cost, scheduling conflicts, or personal reasons. For those students, winter formal offered a chance to dress up, spend time with friends and be part of a special tradition without the pressure often associated with prom.

By offering multiple formal events, the school gave more students the opportunity to feel included and experience the excitement of a dance night.

“I think it’s really important that we do the work together ” Ellie Lebsack, senior and Student Vice President said.

In view of these challenges, teamwork played a major role in making the night successful. Responsibilities were divided among staff with some focusing on decorations, others managing tickets and communication and teachers and administrators overseeing safety. Backup plans were also created in case of technical difficulties or last-minute changes.

“I helped set up lights, tables and chairs and did a little bit of decorations,” senior and student decorator said Dennis Koomson.

With chairs and tables set up and other dazzling decorations adorning the Canadian County Expo Center, STUCO’s dedication was primarily revealed through the extravagance of the event. The students who attended, danced and created memories in the elegance of the setup validated the teamwork, time and diligence of students behind the scenes.

“On the big events, nothing is ever gonna go exactly how you planned it and there’s going to be stuff that comes out wrong, and that’s okay you can always change it,” Lebsack said.

Rather than aiming for perfection, STUCO members focused on being flexible and problem-solving in the moment. For STUCO, success wasn’t about flawless execution, but about creating an enjoyable experience despite the surprises along the way.

“Advice to give to future members is to come in with a great attitude because there is a lot to do,” Koomsan said.

The significance of setting up a formal in order for others to have a place where they could be free of stress was important to the Student Council members who also had positive attitudes.

“What makes it successful in my opinion is there were a lot of kids who dressed up and had fun,” Childers said.