Teen with Down syndrome asks girlfriend to school dance with creative cake

A US schoolgirl has been overcome with emotion after her boyfriend asked her to attend a school dance with a very special cake.

The touching moment Illinois teen Jake Martin, 16, made the proposal to girlfriend “Emily”, 17, was captured on camera by Jake’s father Tom Martin, Buzzfeed reports.

The video shows Jake emerging through a cafeteria door holding a cake modelled after one of Emily’s favourite treats – a cookie – to the sound of cheering.

He approaches the table where an unsuspecting Emily is sitting, before presenting her with the baked goods and asking her to the dance.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Emily begins to cry before agreeing to his request and embracing him.

Jake’s invitation was organised with the help of Peer Partners, a school program pairing special needs students with peer mentors.

“They’ve been dating since last year, and it’s amazing how many people support their relationship,” Peer Partner volunteer Stephanie Zagurski told Buzzfeed.

Mr Martin, said there were hundreds of students in attendance at the cafeteria at the time of the proposal.

The video, posted to Stephanie’s Twitter account on September 23, has received tens of thousands of retweets and likes.

READ MORE: Girl with Down syndrome ecstatic when boyfriend gives her promise ring

READ MORE: Parents in tears as boys let classmate with Down syndrome win school sports day race

Have a good news story you’d like to share? We’d like to hear from you. You can reach us at contact@9news.com.au.