Unfortunately, we have all heard the disappointing news of the Winter Formal being cancelled due to the extreme outbreak of the Omicron variant throughout the school and local community. 

We know that a lot of people were looking forward to it, seeing as this wasn’t the first major school dance cancellation that occurred as a result of the pandemic this year. The news was very shocking and caught us off guard since the Winter Formal was postponed three days before the event was scheduled to take place. For most of us going, we already had our outfits picked out and our dinner reservations booked. But before you get too disappointed, we are here to give you some alternative ideas that are just as fun, if not more, than Winter Formal. 

1. Get a group of friends together, dress up, take pictures and go to a fancy restaurant. I know  there are several fancy restaurants in downtown Portland, such as Departure, Portland City Grill or the Melting Pot. Although, if you’re looking for something a little closer, Pastini, Sinju and P.F. Changs are all fun, fancy places to try. This way, you can still get an experience similar to winter formal, but without the extreme crowds of people.
2. You could also go with some friends up to the mountain or the beach. At the beach you could go on fun hikes or have a sunset picnic. Up on the mountain, you could go snowboarding or skiing and try something a little more adventurous. This fun little getaway will allow you and your friends to bond and have some quality time together while still doing something fun.
3. Alternatively, you could just hang out at someone’s house and have a low-key night. You could watch movies, play games, get or make some good food – the list is endless. This will allow you to connect and get to know some things about your friends you never would have.

 We know that Winter Formal getting cancelled was a disappointment for most people wanting to attend, but take advantage of this time and make something fun out of it! Also, since the semester just ended, you should take time to treat yourself and celebrate all of the things that you’ve accomplished in these abnormally stressful and difficult times.