The Class of 2025 will partake in a much-anticipated school tradition this March. They will receive their John Carroll rings at Mass on March 14, and the Ring Dance will be held the following Saturday.
The Ring Mass and Ceremony will be held on campus in the Upper Gym, and the Ring Dance will be hosted at Water’s Edge Event Center in Belcamp. These venues are the same as last year.
The John Carroll class ring was designed by a former art teacher in the late 1960s. The ring continues to have the same design that it has had since that year.
For years, Mr. Michael Gaudreau, a former faculty member and JC graduate, told the Story of the Ring to nearly 40 junior classes as part of the ceremony. He always emphasized the history and importance of this school tradition.
Beginning last year, Assistant Principal Jake Hollin shared the Story of the Ring and will do so again at this year’s ceremony.
In addition to the Story of the Ring, it is customary for the students to take part in the tradition of turning their rings.
Junior Class Co-Moderator Shannon Olsen said, “It’s always been a tradition that you turn the ring the number of times that incorporates the year you graduate. In between the Mass and the dance, students get their rings turned a certain number of times and the last turn comes from somebody important to you.”
Prior to the ceremony itself, juniors and their guests will participate in Mass.
Ms. Olsen said, “Mass is going to be a normal Catholic Mass. While it is in the gym, we will still celebrate together as a family. Specific readings will relate to the theme of school and the ring story. There will be lots of student participation, and the readings and the altar serving will all be done by juniors.”
After communion, there will be the Ring Story and the reading of names. Ms. Olsen added that the group will close together before a reception.
Junior Class Co-Moderator Nathan Nocket explained that in preparation for the dance itself, they have booked the venue and the DJ. As it gets closer to the event, they will need to confirm that the food order is right and supply decorations.
This is both Mr. Nocket’s and Ms. Olsen’s first year as class moderators. Mr. Nocket said, “I am excited for us actually to get going and start putting things together.”
Ms. Olsen received her JC ring in 2012. Now that she is in charge of organizing all the Ring Week events she said, “I am so excited because Ring Week is one of my favorite memories from going here, but I am also really nervous because it’s a lot of pressure. I am excited to continue being a part of the legacy.”
Junior Class President Sara Shorts said, “Mr. Nocket and Mrs. Olsen have been doing most of the work. They have asked for my input and the junior delegates’ input on things like the DJ.”
Sara is looking forward to having a dance with only the members of the class of 2025 and seeing everybody dressed up.
Junior Maddy Sterry said she is looking forward to “picking out my dress and getting ready with my friends.”
Getting the ring is special as it provides “a sense of unity and connectedness as not just a class but also within the larger John Carroll community — both with the seniors and those who have graduated from the school,” explained Mr. Nocket.