Winter Formal is an extremely anticipated and exciting event for students each year. However, additional excitement has surrounded the event this year since it is a district-wide dance that has not been done for many years. Just this last week the theme was announced, and it’s safe to say that it’s nothing short of magical: The Yule Ball! Inspired by the beloved Harry Potter series, The Yule Ball is an elegant theme fit for anyone attending the dance, regardless of whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not. This district-wide event, to be hosted at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on January 25th, 2025, will bring together students from five different PYLUSD high schools: El Dorado, Esperanza, Valencia, El Camino, and, of course, Yorba Linda.

Our ASB Sophomore Class Officers have worked tirelessly alongside the other school representatives in selecting the Yule Ball theme along with planning the dance. Zeeshan Khalid (Sophomore Class President), Isabel Cho (Sophomore Class Vice President), and Chloe Gan (Sophomore Class Secretary/Treasurer) have met with their Winter Formal committee multiple times to contribute to Yorba Linda High School input. Together, they envisioned an enchanting night of wonder and magic, inspired by the grand and festive Yule Ball in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. With this theme, students can expect to dance under sparkling lights with themed decorations to immerse themselves in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Together, all five schools will become one united entity: Hogwarts.

Upon talking with Isabel Cho (10), she shared with me how the Yule Ball theme was decided. She stated, “Each school came together to share their ideas and we all discussed our thoughts on the different themes presented. We all knew we wanted to choose a theme everyone could enjoy and bring our schools together in a way that hasn’t been done before.” She then continued to share, “When the topic of the Yule Ball came up, we immediately saw its potential in creating not only a perfect theme for the winter season but also uniting each of the PYLUSD schools as one.”

Isabel continued to explain her excitement during the planning process. She shared that “coming together with each of the different schools’ ASB members was an experience I will never forget. Putting our heads together and collaborating on the theme and dance allows us to delegate many more jobs as well as achieve goals we couldn’t on our own.” She also states, “I feel so lucky that I got to be a Sophomore Class Officer in the year that we had a district-wide Winter Formal since this planning process has been an experience I will never forget!”

The Yule Ball is lined up as a magical night of laughter, heartwarming moments, and fun chaos. No matter which PYLUSD school you are from, or whichever Hogwarts House you are a part of, everyone is invited to witness the celebration of our district’s unity, friendship, and magic. The essence of a district-wide dance is more than just joining together for a night; it is a chance for students to come together for the joy of belonging to something larger than their own school and reconnect with fellow students from their previously attended middle schools.

Make sure to purchase your Yule Ball Winter Formal ticket in the finance office. Due to the event’s popularity, there is a possibility of a sell-out, and this is not a night you want to miss!