Behind the scenes of Winter Formal: the work behind the magic

Every December, Carrollton students count down to one of the most anticipated events of the year, Winter Formal. Held on Saturday, Dec. 6, the formal brought together the entire high school community for a night filled with music, food, and festive Christmas decor. However, few realize how much effort actually goes into creating it.

This year’s event was led by Congress Senior Vice President Lola Rodriguez ’26, who began planning it at the start of the school year alongside Upper School dean of student life Mrs. Rodriguez. Planning began in September with discussions about logistics, including reviewing which tables were available in storage and coordinating with maintenance to determine what could be done in the space. Much of the early work was focused on organization and layout decisions, which happened long before dresses were chosen or dates were invited.

The transformation of El Jardin was truly impressive. One major change this year was the layout of the venue. In previous years, the dance floor was placed in the center of the courtyard, which “often felt crowded,” said Lola Rodriguez. This year, the courtyard and outdoor areas were turned into lounge spaces, allowing students more room to walk around and spend time with friends, while the dance floor was moved indoors. Weeks of planning came together during the final setup, which included arranging tables, setting up food stations, and making last minute adjustments. By the time the doors opened, the space was fully transformed, creating a perfect setting for the evening.

On the night of the event, faculty and staff welcomed students and their dates at the doors and oversaw the flow of the evening. According to guest Alfredo Lugo, the warm welcome stood out immediately: “When I walked in, I was surprised by how welcoming the teachers were,” he said. “At first it felt intimidating, but I quickly realized how kind and approachable everyone was.” Additionally, he said that “One could tell the whole event was carefully planned and executed.”

 Students shared similar reactions. “Formal was so much fun. I had a great time,” said Alana Fernandez ’27. 

Overall, although Winter Formal may last only a few hours, it takes months of planning and coordination to bring it to life and would not have been possible without our Senior Congress Vice President and Mrs. Rodriguez.