Each year in February, DGS hosts a winter dance for students, but in more recent years there has been a decline in student participation. After announcing the winter dance date and other activities coming along with it, DGS staff and Student Council have decided to cancel this year’s winter dance.
Student Activities Director Jennifer Martinez believes that this decision for cancellation is best for students and DGS as a whole.
“There was declining interest [in the winter dance] over the years and reaching a point where we needed to make a decision to best serve the school resourcefully and with student interest as well,” Martinez said.
Martinez mentions how student participation in the homecoming dance is higher compared to the winter dance.
“Participation is dramatically different, everyone’s excited for Homecoming because it’s the beginning of the year…it seems that over the years that interest in winter dances have just changed,” Martinez said.
Martinez further explains the reasons that students may not feel as inclined to participate in the dance.
“Winter dances used to be a really big thing…It used to be called turnabout, where the girls would ask the guys and I just think societally things have changed where that aspect doesn’t matter anymore, since most students just attend with groups of friends, so it’s not the selling point anymore,” Martinez said.
Senior and Student Council Vice President Emily Rerucha proposes that the reason students do not participate is because of lack of motivation.
“I think that the lack of participation is due to the fact that a lot of students feel unmotivated during this time of year and don’t want to have to plan for another school dance,” Rerucha said.
Student Council plays a large role in decision making regarding the school dance, Rerucha touches on the fact that not many other students or staff help make these decisions.
“In Student Council we vote with the general council on the theme and everyone helps plan it out, we don’t really ask anyone who is not on Student Council for input so that may be another reason why there is a lack of participation,” Rerucha said.
The lack of participation leads to a loss of resources for DGS since the school is not making enough money from students purchasing tickets.
“Over the years there has been less and less participation that at this point, it is a waste of the school’s money and resources,” Rerucha said. 
Senior Chrissa Demos had attended the winter dance her sophomore year and shares her experience.
“It’s a very different experience and environment because there are a lot less people…we were all in the large gym so it was definitely crowded,” Demos said.
Demos states her reasons for not attending the event any other years.
“I never went back because none of my friends really went and the environment was completely different compared to homecoming,” Demos said.
