The 2017 Winter Formal will be held on January 14 from 8-11:30 pm, at the Oasis Starlight Terrace. The Parent Teacher Student Association is sponsoring the dance as it also serves as one of their fundraisers. The Winter Formal is also the only school dance open to students of all grades, and the dress is semiformal.

“Girls usually wear short-length fancy dresses and boys usually wear nice pants and a button down shirt.  Some boys wear suits,” PTSA Parliamentarian Kristin Hill said. “Of course, any semi-formal attire is welcome.”

A DJ from Tunes Across Texas will be providing music, and students can submit playlists for the dance beforehand by using the Music Request option on his website. The DJ and all other activities are planned by the PTSA.

“[We have prepared by] working with school administration to determine the dates, location, and selling tickets to the dance in advance,” said Hill. “Planning for the Winter Formal Dance begins in September of each school year.”

Because the Winter Formal is the only dance open to underclassmen, many of the attendees are underclassmen.

“I’m going because my friend invited me and I wanted to see what it was like,” said freshman Valerie Figuroa. “It’s a lot of fun when people get to hang out and socialize.”

The PTSA has been planning the Winter Formal every year for six years.

“I love being able to plan the Winter Formal,” said PTSA VP of Fundraising Debe McKeand. “It’s like hosting a party for the entire VHS student body.”

Students aren’t the only people at the dance; chaperones and other staff members attend as well.

“I’ve chaperoned many Winter Formals and am always impressed with how polite and courteous all the students are, and how much fun they have together,” said Hill. “Plus I love seeing all the beautiful dresses and high heeled shoes. The shoes always come off at some point and I have some cute pics of great shoes lined up around the dance floor. We have very beautiful students at Vandegrift.”