Despite early excitement for this year’s Winter Formal, which took place on a boat for the first time, turnout was lower than expected, according to student activities director Katie Odell.

The Winter Formal had 275 tickets that could have been sold. There were 96 people that signed up, but only 85 ended up attending even though they paid for their tickets, Odell said.

Odell explained that she just wants to give students options. She said that next year she is going to do a student poll and see how many people respond to it. If the students enjoyed the boat dance this year she thinks she will organize another one.

Senior Daniel Studer attended the dance and said it was a nice opportunity for the upperclassmen.

“It was pretty fun, but it would have been better if more people went. They should keep the boat and continue to have it for the upperclassmen. It was not their fault that not many people went this year,” he said.

Senior Ezza May De La Cruz did not attend because of the price and due to the low number of people that went.

“It was not worth going to because it was $50 and you only get to stay on it for about three hours. Also, none of my friends were going so I didn’t see the point of going either,” she explained.

Winter Formal, which used to be a Turnabout dance, was cancelled in 2012 after low interest and was brought back in 2014 after students petitioned.

Senior Chima Malko said the winter dance has never been popular, which is the problem.

“If no seniors go to the dance then underclassman don’t think it’s cool and no one goes,” she said. “The winter dance has a bad reputation.”

Despite its lack of popularity, Odell said she wants the tradition to continue.

“I think it is important to have a fun, safe option to go to a party during the winter,”  Odell said, “because there isn’t much going on during this time of year.”

Tickets for this year’s dance sold for $45 each and $10 for the coach bus.

Andre Eramia contributed to this report.