The Sophomore Semiformal will take place on April 29 in the cafeteria and is part of the recent trend in popularity of semiformal dances.

The semiformal, themed “Black and White,” is exclusively for the sophomore class but students are able to bring dates if they choose to.

Sophomore class president Laura Shi believes a lack of participation in past school dances explains the surge in popularity of semiformals.

“I organized [the Sophomore Semiformal] because after word got out that Winter Ball was cancelled, a lot of people came to me and said they really wanted a formal dance, one they could dress up for,” Shi said. “There’s a great turnout of people who bought tickets [over 100 tickets have been sold] which is nice because there’s been a lot of talk that school dances have been declining and people haven’t been as enthusiastic about it, but there’s been a lot of positive thoughts about this dance.”

The desire for semiformal dances may also be affected by the steering committee’s attempts to appeal to the majority of the class.

“We’re trying our best to incorporate different things at the dances that everyone would like such as different songs and activities,” Shi said.  “People from different friend groups bought tickets [to the semiformal] which shows a mixing of the grade and how not just certain groups like to go to dances.”  

Dancing is not going to be the only part of the Sophomore Semiformal. There is set to be food, a photobooth and the courtyard area will be open for students to take a break from the flurry of activities and talk with friends.

“Even kids who don’t like to dance will come just to be with their friends and socialize,” sophomore class adviser and world language teacher Karla Steele said. “Some students only get to see their friends in the five-minute passing times at school. At a dance, kids can hang out with their friends and not have to worry about school for a while.”

“I think students should have something besides the constant stress of school,” sophomore class representative Jyothi Polackal said. “Having dances gives something for people to talk about and look forward to.”

While well-attended school dances have been a rarity in recent years, the recent Freshman Fling semiformal was successful and now the Sophomore Semiformal is an attempt to keep the positive momentum going.

“I think a lot of people are becoming more interested in semiformals rather than the informal dances,” sophomore class representative Ryan Strobel said. “You don’t have to be as fancy as you would be for prom but it’s still a dance you can dress up for.”  

Some students, though, believe that holding frequent dances may turn people off to attending them.

“I don’t think people would go to dances after a while unless they were really fun,” sophomore Zoe Scangas said. “I want to have more dances but they have to be good.”

But for now, many sophomores have high hopes for the upcoming dance.

“People bought tickets to the Sophomore Semiformal because it’s happening and one hasn’t happened in awhile,” Shi said.