The Merry Masquerade, otherwise known as the Winter formal, has officially been cancelled, cutting short a student-promoted event many hoped would bring some excitement to the semester. Karns High School Student Council announced last week on Instagram that the event, originally planned for Saturday, December 6, would not take place after ticket sales fell short of the required number.
The Merry Masquerade was scheduled for 7-9 p.m. with semi-formal attire and $20 tickets available December 1-5, both online and during lunch. The event was set to take place at the school itself, most likely in the commons. The Student Council shared multiple reminders on Instagram throughout the week, explaining that the event needed at least 50 tickets sold in order to move forward. Guest forms were to be due November 25, and no tickets would be sold at the door, increasing the need for tickets to be bought beforehand. Despite steady advertising through the Student Council instagram, and several flyers posted throughout the school, the final count did not reach minimum.
This year’s cancellation follows a similar outcome to last winter, when the formal was also cancelled due to low attendance. The repeated cancellations have raised a larger question among students: Why isn’t the Karns community interested in a Winter Formal anymore? Student Council member Tremanni Hayward says the struggle isn’t new.
“We only had 27 people sign up this year. Even at Homecoming there were only a couple of people,” Hayward said, “It’s been kinda hard to keep the Winter Formal going when it keeps having such a low turnout each year.”
Compared to Prom, and even Homecoming, the Winter Formal has consistently had lower turnout at Karns. Some students point to busy schedules with finals and winter activities. Others think students just don’t want to attend an after-hours event at the school itself. 12th grader Taylor Richards, who purchased a ticket, said the cancellation felt like a let-down.
“I’m actually sort of sad that I didn’t get to go,” Richards said. “Even though there were not going to be a lot of people, I’m a senior and this was my last chance.”
Whatever the reason, the Merry Masquerade cancellation has prompted conversations about what the student body actually wants, and if further attempts at a Winter Formal can succeed if interest continues to drop.
Still, there is hope that this isn’t the end of Winter Formals at Karns. With more student engagement and a change of venue, some think future attendance could grow. For now, the cancelled dance at the Dam serves as a reminder that student-led events only happen when enough students choose to support them.
