Prom for the Group

From The Extended Group

Prom for most of the Extended Group took place on May 31st 2003 at the Inglewood Country Club near Bothell, WA. The lavish event was considered groundbreaking at the time for many group members although the modern consensus is that it was a waste of money in general although still somewhat enjoyable.

Contents 1 Beginnings 2 Pairing 2.1 Asking 3 Groups and Dinner Plans

Beginnings

In late 2002 and early 2003, while the echos of homecoming were still ringing, thoughts among group members turned to the big formal date-dance of the year, the Senior Prom. It was a subject of some confusion and apprehension because many group members, unexperienced in relationships with girls, especially in the bizarre quasi-romantic setting of a high school dance, did not know who they should ask, and once that was decided, whether or not the date should be considered a platonic affair or a more romantic one.

It was with this attitude that many a late night conversations were held in the Talking Room and in automobiles parked throughout Shoreline. How the decisions were made to ask specific girls is not known in many cases, but one by one, group members laid plans to ask their quarry in a creative fashion.

Pairing

(note feel free to add details or delete them)

• Brett and Morgan Chosnyk
• Kevin and Candace Ryu
• Andy and Alisa Sugiyama
• Terry and Liz Adams
• Gavin and Sarah Wilson
• Rama and Katie Jones
• Lukas and Holly Watanabe
• Melvin and Melissa Wally
• Jamie and (group member) Lillian
• Owen and Alaina Hasagawa
• Asher and Ned Bunje
• Jason and Sefali Shah

Asking

(note: information on this is sketchy from the authors point of view so please fill in your own section)

• Lukas asked Holly Watanabe during their shared "Imprints" class at Shorewood sometime in late April of 2003. In the back room of the publications room, Lukas was sorting through donation slips recieved from parent donors from all over. After carefully confering with trusted confidantes Andy, Terry, and Brett, it was decided that the way was clear for asking. (earlier it had been suggested that perhaps Stewart Bowerman had considered asking the girl earlier that day, but this is unconfirmed) With minutes ticking down, Lukas gradually became more and more agitated as the end of the period was nearing. Finally with some 12 minutes left he sent Brett out to retrieve Holly from the main classroom. Seconds after Brett left, Jeremy came tumbling out of one of the floor cupboards under the counter groaning slightly while rolling out onto the floor. Lukas yelled "JEREMY! what are you doing?!" at this unexpected development in his carefully laid plan. Jeremy, surprised by his fury said "woah Lukas, I've never seen you explode like that before" at which Lukas told him of his plan and Jeremy left the room. Just when Lukas thought he was going to die of hypertension, Holly walked in wanting to know why her services were needed in the back room. Lukas then produced a donation slip from his mother on which he printed in black letters "Holly, will you go to prom with me?-Lukas". Holding it up, he asked "I was wondering what you do when it says this?". She picked up the slip and stared at it for 2 seconds or so not saying anything before saying "ohhh how cute" to which Lukas asked "well?". She responded in the affirmative and several seconds after that, Brett popped in comically holding a celebratory bag of kettle corn, fresh from the microwave. Preliminary group arrangements were made and then the bell rang, signalling the end of class.

• Andy's proposal involved an elaborate plan in which Alisa would come into orchestra after a giant banner with "the question" asked in Japanese had been placed above the main wall. Andy would then enter several minutes into class bearing flowers (I think) and a devishly grin. Brett, eager to see this unfold, decided to duck the first few minutes of Gourmet Foods (which was right next to the music rooms) and entered the orchestra hall. Standing around waiting for Andy, the entire room was in a social mood and Alisa stood in the center with a small circle of friends discussing the mysterious banner. At this point Brett's unusual presence was noted, and many began assuming he was the one asking Alisa (when asked, Brett briefly considered, but decided against taking credit for the plan, as a joke of course). But seconds later Andy emerged, dressed in his finest high school attire, as the room responded warmly to this gesture (there were unconfirmed reports that Mr. Wing had been consulted prior).

• Gavin asked Sarah Wilson through a complex plot involving flowers, a cell phone and a car driven to her house.

Groups and Dinner Plans

• A group made up of (only group members listed for sake of brevity) Terry, Jamie and Lillian, Melvin, and Andy(?) was formed early on in the planning process. It was decided that dinner would be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle. Although the cost was reportedly quite high (some $115 per couple), the food was reportedly quite good with lobster tail and steak being entree's. Melvin is generally credited with making the reservations because by that time his reputation as group gourmet was well established.

• Lukas was forced into a group with his date and her group of friends including Yangchen Chagzoetzang, Vickie Wong, Hanady Kader and their dates. (all of whom were in college at the time at either UW or SU) Lukas ended up being the only fully caucasian member of the group which was not all that uncommon among group members. The pre-determined meeting place was Vickies house which Lukas knew to be on the same street as Brian Wong. Unfortunately in the confusion, Lukas drove up the wrong street and approached the likely looking house only to be rejected by a balding asian man who balked at the tuxedo-clad Lukas inquiring about prom groups. With time running short, Lukas used his mothers cell phone to call Terry to inquire about the address for Vickies house. Once he realized he was one street away, he quickly sped over only arriving 10 minutes late. Introductions were made and soon the convoy of cars left to go to the country club for pictures. After these, the group headed downtown to El Gaucho, an Argentinian steakhouse at which the always astute Vickie had made reservations weeks in advance. The food was excellent, but prices were steep. Fortunately for Lukas, his date (Holly) was a vegetarian, greatly reducing her capacity to eat expensively. The bill still ended up being slightly over $80 with tip after Lukas insisted on eating a 20 oz steak. After dinner, more photos were taken at the Seattle waterfront and then the group made for the country club yet again.

• Brett and Morgan reportedly went alone or possibly in the company of the "thespians". Dinner was had at Saltys on Alki, whose rough nautical-sounding name belied the upscale nature of the resteraunt. The name still brought laughs to whoever he told, and he soon went on the defensive as soon as it was brought up. Brett was thought for a long time to have planned his prom too hastily as he ordered a tuxedo before having a date. In the week or so before, it was rumored that even charity dates would be considered, but fortunately Brett found a solution that worked.

• Gavin, and Kevin went in the same group as well as Alexis Gross-Banks and her date. They were driven in a limosine driven by a colorful driver who entertained them with jokes and stories. Dinner was at Benihana which reportedly served food that was "awesome".

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