This year marks the third annual Winter Formal Dance at Lake Forest Academy. Taking place on February 28, the “Under the Stars” themed event was the latest evolution of a tradition that continues to grow. Meticulously planned by the Sophomore Student Council, the dance successfully transformed Reid Hall into a festive, starlit atmosphere.
While this may have been the third consecutive winter dance, it was a long-standing LFA tradition before COVID. Since being revamped in 2024, the event has struggled to attract attention from LFA students. The first year, there were complaints about the DJ, which led to fewer people buying tickets the following year. This, coupled with the fact that the dance was scheduled on the same day as the Model United Nations conference at the University of Chicago and a Prep Hockey tournament, resulted in low turnout.
The scheduling challenges did not end. This year, the dance was on the same day as the closing matinee of the musical, leaving students with less time to prepare for the nighttime event after participating in the tiring daytime production. That being said, the fluctuating turnout raises broader questions about LFA school spirit. As students’ schedules become increasingly busy, packed with extracurriculars and academics, maintaining participation in seemingly unnecessary activities is becoming harder.
Sophomore Student Council made a deliberate effort to restore enthusiasm and plan a memorable event. This began with marketing the dance. Making several morning meeting announcements, the sophomores tried to generate discussion for the dance. Playing a teaser video for the theme, which featured music and clips from “La La Land,” definitely spurred conversation.
According to Sophomore Student Council Representative Ellie Kim ‘28, “One of the biggest challenges was increasing participation. The Winter Formal has always had a reputation as a ‘freshman function,’ even though it’s only been a few years since it was revamped.”
When choosing a theme, the sophomores had to consider a variety of factors. According to Kim, they “wanted something that displayed a winter vibe while feeling like you are in a dance.”
A lot of planning went into researching decorations, coordinating visuals and making people feel immersed when they walk into Reid. This included decorations that show a starry night setting, such as lighting, ceiling decor, and color choices.