LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — On Feb. 2, Los Alamitos High School hosted its annual winter formal assembly with the theme, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” as they featured various games, court nominees, winter sports highlights and dances.

“I really enjoyed watching the nominees walk down the red carpet,” said Maylin Cheng, a junior.

As tradition, LAHS choir SoundFX opened the assembly with the national anthem. The performance captivated the audience with moving vocals. After the choir performed, the Associated Student Body started off by informing students about dress-up days and lunch activities happening during the week, getting the student body hyped for the dance on Saturday. 

First up on the dance floor was the LAHS varsity basketball team, dancing with the varsity song team. The groups did well and showed up and out, getting the student body excited. Next, the LAHS dance team took the floor, dancing to mashed-up songs. Seeing the school spirit in each dance routine, the anticipation in the audience grew. 

Soon into the assembly, students got to watch the well-expected winter sports highlight video. Sports such as girls and boys basketball, boys’ and girls wrestling, boys’ and girls soccer, water polo, cheer and surf were featured.  

On Friday, Jan. 30, LAHS posted the king, queen, prince and princess nominees. During the assembly, each nominee walked down the red carpet to a song of their choice, accompanied by two friends. Students cheered as their classmates walked down the red carpet. 

“It got me looking forward to Winter Formal, and now I’m more excited to be with my friends, especially after participating and having fun at the assembly,” said Isiaah Rabon, a king nominee. 

Queen nominees are Ruby Santagata, Isla Nash, Hayden Brown, Camryn Flores and Hailey Rippeon. The king nominees are Isiaah Rabon, Cody Dykema, Aaron Meyers, Jason Khan and Sebastian Mok.  

Princess nominees include Jayden Villa, Remy Hoang, Sydney Bang-La, Kara Tessier and Violet Moran. Prince nominees include Logan Hakala, Phillip Engelhardt and Yuvateja Kasindula. All our juniors, according to tradition, are first-time nominees for any formal court from the 2027 class. 

ASB kicked off the first game of the assembly with Slither.IO. Participants who signed up beforehand showed up and got into groups of six. Each group started out with two people, but slowly increased the team size as the groups went across the gym. The first group to gather all their members with their group still intact won. Out of four teams and a tight competition, Team Magnus took the win. 

After the nominees were announced, the queens and kings played a game against the counselors, stacking large boxes labeled “chocolate bars.” In the first round, the counselors won. During the second round, where the princes and princesses battled the counselors, the princes left victorious.

The assembly closed with the rollercoaster; ASB members led their respective grade levels one by one. Seniors took the win as the loudest group with a close follow up being the sophomores. This assembly was entertaining and informative, getting the student body ready for the busy week ahead.

“This assembly made me appreciate our school spirit,” said Ashley Kim, a junior.