As prom season comes around, so does a very special tradition. Promposals originated in the 2000s, and the first promposal appeared on the Dallas Morning News in 2001. Through social media, promposals had spread globally and became a well-celebrated tradition throughout many high schools. Promposals often include posters, flowers, treats or gifts, with a special or humorous meaning.

Some of our Mavericks embrace this tradition with creativity and create proposals that will leave lasting memories. Easton Quave, 12, and Preston Holland, 12, created personalized promposals for their girlfriends, Claire Rozewicz, 12, and Riley Hazelwood, 12.

“Two years ago, she had said jokingly, ‘Someone better ask me to prom singing “Did I Mention” from Descendants’,” Quave said. “She probably forgot, but I didn’t. It’s also one of her favorite movies and favorite songs.”

From meeting in middle school to now being together for nearly two years, Quave and Rozewicz shared many surprises together through time. Quave wanted this proposal to stand out and be one to remember.

“What materials I used were six poster boards, butcher paper, sharpies, a projector, a choir and a whole lot of confidence,” Quave said.

There are many different ways to ask someone to prom, but tailoring promposals to personal interests makes it extra special. Quave noted that the whole process took less than 24 hours from start to finish. Despite the tight timeline, Quave was able to surprise Rozewicz and create a core memory for her.

“I had to convince my choir teacher to let me use the choir room to perform it. Reluctantly, he said yes. Then I had some people learn the song and the choreography in less than one period,” Quave said. “I had stayed up late the night before making the poster, and then, I had Addison Erwin help me make signs that spelled ‘ridiculous’ for the performance as they do in the movie.”

Similarly, Holland took a thoughtful approach to his promposal as it geared towards one of Hazelwood’s likings and was brought to life with Holland’s creativity.

“The theme I was going for was one missing piece: us at prom,” Holland said. “Riley really likes puzzles, so it kind of connects to her.”

After being together for almost a year, surprising Hazelwood with a special promposal meant a lot to Holland as he wanted it to be very memorable as puzzles are meaningful to Hazelwood.

“It took about three days to design the template,” Holland said. “My older sister helped me create it, and then I bought flowers the day of.”

After three days of planning, cutting, designing and getting flowers, Holland’s main goal through the whole process was to ask Hazelwood in a way that she would love and treasure.

Promposals are not just about giving huge gifts and a sign, but the remembrance of small details in a relationship. The creativity and ideas that go into promposals allow moments to be cherished and remembered through these final moments of senior year. Our mavericks demonstrated this spirit by bringing their ideas to life with amazing creativity.