Promposals are one of the most timeless high school traditions. No matter how much traditions may change from year to year, the art of a creative ask to prom can always be appreciated. Whether a public sign or a meaningful note, promposals show how much people care for each other without breaking the bank. At Kilbourne and many other highschools, promposals are normally rooted around sports, song lyrics, or foods and drinks, but a personal touch is always a great idea. 

Two of Kilbourne’s Seniors have already asked their dates for this year’s prom, and they share more about their experiences. 

First, Atlas Miles asked her girlfriend to prom this year. For Miles, promposals are “something that high school upperclassmen have had the opportunity to do for years and it still hasn’t stopped being fun.” Like many others, Miles enjoys staying true to the tradition of promposals that has remained through generations. Her personal touch connecting the question to her and her girlfriend’s relationship was through a song. “This year, I promposed with a Spotify inspired poster that used one of her favorite artist’s songs (Sweet by CAS) and incorporated it into the promposal,” Miles shares. For other students considering whether to prompose or how they should, Miles advises, “Just do it. No matter if the person you’re going with is your partner or just a close friend, think of the little things that make that person happy and try to incorporate it into the promposal: big or small, the person will appreciate it.” 

Coming up with a personal promposal can mean anything for different dates, but it is important to consider the person you are asking. Some people aren’t one for big productions or public scenes, so a handwritten note could mean more. On the other hand, some people dream of their big moment that is being asked to Senior Prom. It is crucial to know what your date wants before planning something that they might not love. For Miles and many others, the end result will be worth the planning: “It was really gratifying to watch her face light up because I was willing to put effort into asking her to prom, even though we already knew we were going together,” Miles elaborates. As Miles mentions, it is safe to assume your date would still love to be asked to prom even if already in a relationship. Again, the effort going into the ask is the part that really matters. 

Senior Brady Baringhaus also used song lyrics when he promposed to his date this year. He wrote on his sign, “My heart would need a revival if you didn’t come to prom with me,” referencing the Zach Bryan song, “Revival.” Baringhaus also touches on the personal aspects of a promposal that make it special, as he shares, “I promposed with a sign, flowers, and her favorite candy after one of her lacrosse games.” For Baringhaus, the added touches of flowers and candy added to the experience. “I think that promposals are very cute, very fun to do, and I imagine that as they get more and more creative, they will never go out of style,” Baringhaus offers. 

Tips for Promposals

• Know your date. Again, know what your date actually likes. Don’t do a public sign with an audience if your date would be more comfortable with something like a handwritten note or a personal ask over some ice cream. 

• Get creative. There’s a reason cheesy signs are a classic – they are funny and make people smile. Don’t be afraid to get crafty!

• Add in flowers and candy. All girls love flowers, and everyone loves candy. You can never go wrong with adding a little extra something. For the guys, Trader Joe’s is always a great flower stop. 

• Document the moment. Even if the date doesn’t end up being fun, you will always have the picture to look back on and laugh about. 

If you haven’t asked your potential date yet, time is ticking, but here are some fun suggestions for posters anyway. 

• Let’s kick it at prom together (soccer)
• Don’t pass on this chance – prom? (most sports)
• I know this is cheesy, but prom? (with pizza)
• Donut say no… go to prom with me (with donuts)
• Please Please Please go to prom with me (Sabrina Carpenter)
• You belong with me… at prom (Taylor Swift)
• You’d be greedy not to say yes to prom (Tate McRae)
• Dance the night away… at prom? (Dua Lipa)
• Something in the orange tells me you should say yes to prom (Zach Bryan)
• You’re the sun to me and I’d love to take you to prom (Zach Bryan)

These are just a few ideas, but the list can go on and on. Good luck Kilbourne, and we will see you at prom!