Step 1: Pick your date.

The first part of asking someone to a dance is to choose who to ask. I chose my role model: Brophy junior Kenta Sachen. Kenta is in my Chinese class and he is basically a genius when it comes to Chinese. I have never seen someone so skilled at anything as Kenta is at speaking Chinese. He’s also super polite so I know he wouldn’t be too rude if he rejected me. Most importantly, Kenta is super interesting so I know that it won’t be awkward if we take a water break are forced to have a conversation. This is perhaps the most important part of choosing who to ask, because you don’t want to spend all night in stony silence, too uncomfortable or too bored to enjoy yourself.

Step 2: Pick a theme.

Look at the interests of your date. Kenta and I are both very dedicated Chinese students, so I decided to make my proposal Chinese themed. If you do not know your date as well as I know Kenta, check their social media. If they don’t have any, ask their friends or go straight to the source and subtly ask the object of your affections.

Step 3: Pick a pun.

Once you have an interest of theirs picked out, find a joke or clever phrase related to this topic. If you can’t come up with one on your own, it’s completely fine to look one up on pinterest or something, just try to make it something funky fresh and original.

Step 4: Prepare your poster.

Write the phrase you have picked out in neat letters. If you are like me and have the type of handwriting that made your third grade handwriting teacher weep in sorrow, consider asking a friend or using stencils. Make sure to mark out what you want to say in light pencil first, so you can avoid any embarrassing misspelling mishaps. You don’t think you’ll fall victim to this, but trust me, it happens, and nothing is more embarrassing than when you’re standing there, holding your poster that you have slaved over for hours (or more accurately 20 minutes), basically baring your heart to this person, and they have to tell you that their name is spelled wrong. Can you imagine anything more heartbreaking? I sure can’t.

Step 5: Decorate your poster.

Trace over the pencil with a dark sharpie or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, dark paint. If you have friends who are asking people to dances as well, try making a day of decorating your posters together. Head to Michael’s or any other craft store as a group, and  share paint or other resources, so that not as much is leftover and wasted.

Step 6: Prepare yourself just in case you are rejected.

Spend a couple of minutes in front of the mirror telling yourself how fantastic you are just in case your date is busy, or just doesn’t want to go with you. Sometimes things don’t work out like we want them to. Just remember that failure is a part of life sometimes. You’re the coolest even if you don’t have a date at a dance. Prepare a cheery response if they say no, because breaking out into tears will likely be very awkward. My go-to is, “Hey pal! No biggie!” with a nonchalant laugh.

Step 7: The asking!

Plan a time when you know you will see your intended date. Make sure that you will have someone there who you can trust with your phone who will be your photographer for the moment, so that you’ll have some candid pictures to post on social media or just keep for posterity. I chose Chinese class because I knew Kenta would be there and also because the girls around me were in on my plan the whole time and were almost as excited as I was.

In case you’re wondering: Kenta agreed!