As Homecoming draws nearer and nearer, the level of stress to find a date rises higher and higher. For many, asking that special someone to Homecoming is an art. Hours of planning goes into perfecting the moment to assure a ‘yes.’ However, there are some things to be wary of, as well as things to make sure are included in the Homecoming preparation checklist.

First off, be original. Unless it’s absolutely certain the person is very traditional, do something out of the ordinary.

“I heard of someone who was going to put a bowl of fish on their date’s doorstep with a note saying ‘of all the fishes in the sea, will you go to Homecoming with me?’” sophomore Tanner Lund said. “I thought that was sweet. Don’t take your date to a cheap place, either.”

Another component to consider is where and when to ask — this can make or break an answer.

“Don’t get someone to ask for you, and always ask them in person,” junior Rebekah Rowland said.

While some things may seem to be common sense, there are other things students tend to overlook. That’s when we bring in the help of teachers. They’re in school all day, too, and that allows for time to see how we interact. They have some tips on what’s important as well.

“Be honorable,” science department chair Lynn Martens said. “Integrity is important. Be respectful.”

Respect goes hand-in-hand with equality. It is okay to pull out her chair for her, hold open doors and things like that — in fact, those are encouraged. However, don’t make her feel inferior to you.

“Both genders are equal,” Martens said. “That’s very important.”

Boys, be a gentleman. It may seem like overkill or a little awkward, but it will impress the girl and make her realize how much she matters. This is a surefire way to win a girl over.

“Chivalry is not dead,” Martens said. “It’s harder to find, but for that reason it’s all the more important. It just comes down to showing compassion. Things like opening a door are just common courtesy.”

Now we know how to act, what to do and what not to do, but there are some other components that play into getting a ‘yes’.

“When you approach someone, three things you want to consider are the environment, the sociocultural aspect, and their behavior,” psychology teacher Tyler Alexander said.

These small things are what put the finishing touches on the masterpiece. Environment could be the amount of light, whether they’re comfortable or not, or the surroundings. Getting one of those wrong could be fatal.

Sociocultural includes where they like to be, like a movie, or somewhere different. For their behavior, be fairly confident they’ll say yes beforehand.

Other things to consider are just cutting straight to the point. Beating around the bush makes them bored and lose interest. Also, make sure to know what makes the person tick, or what make them happy.

“Know the person you’re asking. Don’t just ask someone you’ve talked to twice out of the blue,” Alexander said. “You want to make sure you have a chance and that they’ll say yes.”

Body language is a key part as well. The person asking as well as the person being asked need to be aware of the signals they’re sending off.

“Stand up straight and make eye contact — it shows confidence,” Alexander said. “Always smile, too. It’s hard to resist a good smile. Make sure you don’t get too close, though. Stay at a normal distance.”

On the other end, there’s the person being asked. That can be just as scary as asking. Nobody likes being put on the spot.

“Don’t randomly blurt it out, especially around friends,” junior Jackson Holmes said. “Do it in a way that shows her your true feelings.”

Whether asking or being asked, accepting or rejecting, always be kind and considerate.

“Be nice either way,” Alexander said. “You don’t want to damage anyone’s self esteem.”

Here is some advice other students had:

·         Christina Kealey, junior: “Don’t embarrass her!”
·         Alex Meiser, sophomore: “Don’t be cocky, and always look sexy. Wear a suit, and make eye contact.”
·         Kaitlin Neiger, junior: “Never assume that just because she’s your girlfriend, she’s automatically your date.”
·         Derrick Jewett, freshman: “Don’t forget her name. Be confident and don’t hesitate or stutter.”
·         Jordan Rose, junior: “Always do the thing that makes the girl feel special. Never just text her.”