CHALMETTE, La. (WGNO) – What do you get when you mix romance, ring-shaped candy, and a high school marching band?
You get an epic marriage proposal.
Chalmette High School chemistry and physics teacher, Jonathan “Jon” Holt, came up with the ultimate way to ask the love of his life, Chalmette High School English teacher, Iris Howorth to marry him. Jon planned a proposal that would incorporate the Chalmette High School community. The magic moment was caught on camera, and the video has become a hit online!
The big plan
Jon said he came up with the idea for the proposal while walking his dog. He said it took a week to put everything together for the proposal. First, he got Iris’ parents’ permission. Then he went out and bought the candy. The next day he ordered the balloons. The following day he secretly brought his coat to the school and put it in his closet. Then, with one day to go, he says he told the band where to meet. Then on Friday April 24 it was time for the big moment.
“It was so hard to keep the secret! I think everyone who knew about it was about to explode by the time Friday rolled around. It was such a relief to finally put the plan into motion,” Jon said.
The Proposal
On the day of the proposal, Jon told the students in Iris’s 3rd period English class his plan while Iris was out of the room. He gave them ring pops and told them to get down on one knee and propose to Miss Howorth. Meanwhile, the whole scene was being recorded by Jose Cotto.
Later, Iris was back in her classroom. She told the students she would be leaving Chalmette High. Jon plans on getting his Ph.D. from Duke. Iris is moving with him.
After the students heard the news, that’s when the first student got down on one knee and proposed.
Then it happened, again, and again as more of the students started proposing. Eventually, Iris moved to the front of the room and Jon swooped in with the real ring.
Jon got down on one knee and asked the big question: “will you marry me?”
Iris said yes.
But the surprise didn’t end there!
Iris and Jon went out into the hallway where they were then greeted by the Chalmette High School marching band.
Was Iris Surprised?
Iris told WGNO, Friday, April 24 began as a regular school day. She added she had no idea that Jon had set up his elaborate proposal plan with the students, faculty, and administration. She started wondering what was up when the students started proposing.
“I started to get suspicious that Jon would propose, but I was still thinking to myself, ‘There’s no way he’s going to propose at school! This is just a weirdly coincidental senior prank,” Iris said. “By the time he came him, I was expecting him – but the band and second line were still a surprise!”
Why involve the school?
Jon stated he knew he wanted to do something special and make a production out of the proposal. He also wanted to include the school community.
“The school administration is phenomenal, and the students are so special. Our experience at Chalmette High School has truly shaped our development as young adults and has put us on a trajectory to live through compassion and humility. Including the students in the proposal was a perfect opportunity to express our gratitude for all the love they have shared with us. The proposal is also a way for us to leave our legacy; the students will remember that day for the rest of their lives,” Jon said.
Look likes his plan worked out perfectly!
Video of the proposal becomes a hit online
The video was posted on Jon’s YouTube page and has been seen by thousands of people. Iris shared the video on her Facebook page, and then her friends started sharing the post.
Iris said, “I was surprised to see people I didn’t even know comment about how much they liked it, or even that it had made them cry. I had never expected it to become so big, but it’s been such a fun event to watch it get bigger! My students are loving seeing it too, so it makes it even more special that they were a part of it all.”
Their video also made it on to BuzzFeed.
Their Love Story
Iris said the two met through Teach for America while still in school in Massachusetts and became friends. They both joined the Teach for America corps in 2012. They started dating almost three years ago after they both moved down to New Orleans.
What’s Next
The pair says they plan on moving to Durham, North Carolina in the Fall. They say they have set the date for their wedding. They plan to marry at Iris’ parent’s home in Oxford, Mississippi on October 3, 2015