Emily Marie Thomson and Zachary Austin Dollar have announced their engagement with plans to marry in Boston in fall 2008. The romantic proposal took place at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass., on Dec. 27. They live in Santa Barbara.

Emily is a 2002 graduate of Billerica Memorial High School and a 2006 graduate of Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y. She completed a B.S. in sociology and was a multi-event athlete in women's varsity track and field for four years at Colgate. She is an account executive at United Staffing Associates in Oxnard. Emily is the daughter of Scott and Roberta Thomson of Billerica, Mass.

Zachary is a 2002 graduate of Justin-Siena High School and a 2006 graduate of Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y. He completed a double major in sociology and anthropology and is a commercial sales representative for Lanier Worldwide in Woodland Hills. He played varsity football for four years at Colgate and was honored with the Tom Dodge Unsung Hero award his senior year. Zachary is the son of Jackie and Bill Harrison of Napa and Barry Dollar of Santa Barbara.