By: Jasper Shelmerdine '26 and Elise Tsai '26
On February 15, 2025, just days after California’s first rainstorms that washed over cities, the sky finally cleared in time for the much anticipated Winter Formal. Despite the fact that some students arrived fashionably late after supporting the boys’ soccer team to their win in the CIF match, everyone managed to get dressed in their royal attire. Setting the stage with the Royal Ballroom theme, the CPO, dining hall staff, as well as faculty hurried to perfect the night’s last-minute details as students flooded into Senior Lawn for the traditional photo-taking routine. Except, this time, it was accompanied by appetizers provided by the dining hall staff. The menu included everything from Parisian ham and Swiss tea sandwiches to glasses of sparkling cider served by members of the CPO.
As students entered Booth dining hall, they were struck by the grandiose decorations: elaborate faux floral arrangements flowing over the meticulously arranged tables, slightly dim lighting enhancing the atmosphere, and a balloon arch welcoming all the students. Carmen Lack ‘26 remarked, “The weeping willows reminded me of Bridgerton,” and Sophia Ospina ‘25 added, “It was like the enchanted forest in Tinkerbell.” The experience was truly like one from a movie. And perhaps the most memorable element of dinner, described by Kendrick Suen ‘28, was the faculty waiters, dressed in the classic Cate waiter attire of a white button-up and black slacks: “It was really fun to have my teachers be the people serving us dinner.”
Finally, as dinner conversations subtly concluded, students made the quick change from their long dresses and suits into T-shirts and pajama pants as they navigated to Upper Booth, which had been adorned with luxurious curtains draping the ceilings and a DJ dishing out electrifying tunes with synchronized lights. Some much-needed refreshments were provided by the fireplace next to the iconic photo booth, serving as a place to pose with friends and create new memories. Downstairs, the area outside of the dining hall was transformed into a casino as students rushed out to place their bets on poker, blackjack, and more in hopes of gaining enough tickets to enter the raffle. Grand prize winners received anything from speakers to gift cards for acclaimed Santa Barbara dining hits.
Overall, Winter Formal could not have been possible without the various groups tiring away behind the scenes to bring the event to life—the dining hall staff, faculty, CPO, and the Activities Committee. Their commitment is what makes Winter Formal come to life year after year!
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