The annual university formal, sponsored by the WTAMU CORE office, will take place at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza from 7 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. on March 3.

This year’s university theme is “Salsa.” Marco Jimenez, a graduate student in Business Administration and formal king candidate, said he finds the theme appealing.

“I love it. I think it represents the diversity that WT has,” Jimenez said. “On a personal level, I’m Latino and I love salsa.”

The CORE office hired professional salsa dancers from Salsa Magic to give ticket holders free lessons.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs James Hallmark said salsa is a fun theme.

“I’m sure formal will draw well,” Hallmark said. “The challenge with the university formal is that some students will go no matter what the theme might be, while others are not attracted. The challenge is to get more students to go.”S.A.G.E. formal queen candidate Erin Kinuncan, a junior Special Education major, encourages everyone to attend.

“Formal is a unique way to spend a Saturday night with a variety of WT students, meet new people, enjoy good music and win cool prizes,” said Kinuncan.

Analilia Sandoval, a General Studies major, plans to attend the university formal.

“I’m excited. I enjoy dancing and I’m looking forward to learning salsa moves,” Sandoval said.

For other students, the formal’s theme is what will bring them to the event for the first time.

“I like the theme,” Tyler Sweeney, a senior Broadcasting major and formal king candidate, said. “I think it has the potential to be flavorful and exciting. This will be my first year going to formal and I’m pretty excited.”

Tickets are $15, which can be purchased at the JBK information desk.