I’d like to tell you a sweet story about a clever boy and his search for a prom date. Several weeks before his high school prom, sixteen year old James Dworak posted an ad on Craigslist for a prom date to “sign in, get a photo, do at least one formal dance, then dinner…(Note: I’m not one for kissy kissy stuff).” His goal: to at least say he went to prom.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…here is a smart (he earned mostly As), attractive, and motivated young man. He has a successful lawn care business and enjoys repairing computers in his spare time. Why did he turn to Craigslist to find a date?

Well, “what better way to meet someone than on Craigslist?” he said. As he made clear in his post, James was just looking for someone to go as a friendly and platonic date. So, up went the post thinking it wouldn’t get much of a response.

To his surprise the ad captured people’s attention and received some responses, though not all were serious. “The first response was about a job offer. I didn’t quite understand that and politely turned them down.” But after sifting through the replies, he found a hopeful response from Ashley who attended a nearby high school. (Ashley’s mom was actually the one who found James’ post.)

The two corresponded via email and finally met face to face at a local Starbucks because it was a popular and crowded place. “I wanted to be safe, she wanted to be safe, and we mutually felt that that was a good place to meet.” In addition, both of their parents were there, though James explained that “they weren’t quite with us, they were more in the background.” The two hit it off and the deal was sealed.

Courtesy of James Dworak

Though prom night started off a bit out of the ordinary with an interview with the local news, James and Ashley had a fun time. They had dinner downtown at the Imbiss Grille, which James said “is a really nice place”, went to the dance, and enjoyed each others company. “It felt as if I was taking out one of my friends and…I thought it was pretty cool actually.”

Courtesy of James Dworak

Now that prom is over, the two still text each other, but have no current plans for a second date. As for next year’s prom, James would prefer to ask someone from his school in person, but knows he can turn to Craigslist as plan B.

Tags: ask date to prom, craigslist prom date

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