Next to Prom, Dinuba High School’s Winter Formal is one of the biggest events of the year for every attending Emperor. It is a chance to get dressed up, to dance, to connect, and to make memories, and this year was no exception!

This year, Formal would take place on February 7th, with the theme “Starstruck in the City.” The theme was heavily inspired by the movie “La La Land” and was beautifully displayed with blacks, blues, golds, and silvers adorning the old campus east gym. The vision was chosen by the Advanced Leadership Class alongside the ASB committee.

“The parts that I kinda direct would be like the main things that are the same every year,” says Erin Tobias, DHS’s Activities Director. “ASB is in charge of the small details that bring the theme to life.”

Though Leadership students take charge, the setup wouldn’t be complete without the approximate two-hundred students it takes to bring the dance together. Students from Band, Color guard, Student Council, both Advanced and Beginning Leadership, and custodial staff all work together the two days prior to Formal to bring the star-lit theme to life, totaling over 800 man-hours of labor.

Of course, all of their hard work paid off. Dinuba High School’s formal turned the school gym into a lively night filled with music, dancing, and dressed-up students enjoying every moment. From the moment the second student walked in, they were greeted, checked in with their ID numbers, and handed “Popp bucks” to try their luck at poker for a chance to win two free prom tickets.

As the night went on, students explored everything the event had to offer, including a photo backdrop where friends gathered to capture their memories, along with professional photos from LifeTouch Photography. Opposite the entrance, the poker table was busy with students laughing and competing together. Around the gym were decorated tables covered in black tablecloths, centerpieces, and drink menus, along with a dessert table ranging from sweet, sour, and salty treats. Students were also able to buy drinks at the smoothie bar or stand at taller tables to talk and hang out with friends, making sure the night was never boring.

The highlight of the night was the dance floor, where students showed up in sparkling dresses and well-fitted suits. The music, played by Dinuba High’s own drama teacher, Pablo Villagrana, kept the energy high throughout the night. Although most of the playlist was a hit, he also played a few unexpected songs like the Bluey intro, We Don’t Talk About Bruno, and Baby Shark after some students began misbehaving. That, of course, didn’t stop anyone from having a good time.

“I would say just to go, because you never know if next year we aren’t gonna have it. It’s not guaranteed,” states Tobias, promoting to all underclassmen to simply attend and make the most of the night.

The formal wrapped up at 11 p.m. when the lights came back on and revealed students on the dance floor that had been dancing and working up a sweat for the past couple of hours. As everyone made their way out of the gym, it was clear that the night was full of memories that would stick with students for years.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Dakotah Rios

The dance's entrance