Sophomore Unity Ceremony 2021

Sophomore Unity Ceremony 2021: a celebration of memories

Rachel Perez ‘23

Around Campus Editor

As we approach the end of the year, our situation is improving and we are slowly returning to normalcy! Lousiville has taken this opportunity to start hosting traditions again, like the Sophomore Unity Ceremony. On March 12, the sophomores were given a chance to remember all the beautiful moments and challenges they faced this year.

Before the ring ceremony began, we were able to talk to friends and walk around the senior lawn. After being separated from our Louisville sisters for so long, it was great to bond with them again; multiple students agree.

“It was nice to see my Louisville sisters after so long, and I love that we were able to have time to chat and bond during the ceremony,” states Cynea Casidsid ‘23.

Once the ring ceremony began, multiple people came up to the podium to share a speech, poem, or song. One of the speakers was Silan Aycaguer with an excellent speech on powerful women during the Women’s Suffrage Movement, encouraging us to be our best selves and fight for what is right.

Mona Elzein ‘23 welcoming everyone to the ring ceremony.

Following the speech, each student was called up to receive their ring. When the girls were called from the stage, we were able to observe our fellow sisters’ extraordinary outfits! Some girls wore elegant outfits like Mia LaBarbara, ‘23 and some girls chose colorful outfits like Sarah Lozano, ‘23. Each outfit was unquestionably unique yet fits the spring tea party theme.

Mia LaBarbara ‘23 walking to the podium to obtain her ring.

Sarah Lozano ‘23 walking back to her seat after collecting her ring.

After each girl collected their rings, I opened my ring box and found a charming ring with my initials and year on it. Before the ring ceremony event took place, students were able to choose and stylize their rings. My ring consists of a small blue stone in the middle, the royal symbol, and a lion.

“The ring is really beautiful, and the stone is such a pretty color!” offered Valerie McFadden ‘23.

The beautiful blue sophomore class ring.

Ruby Torres ‘23 participating in a game of charades.

After we claimed our rings, it began to rain. We all rushed to different classrooms to play some games and chat. My group engaged in a game of charades as we watched the rain pour outside.

The ring ceremony was beautiful, but there’s also a meaning behind it. This ceremony was a celebration of all the inconveniences sophomores went through together as a class, such as the pandemic and personal troubles. The ring’s circular form symbolizes the never-ending love we have for each other and the class of 2023 as a neverending family.

Mrs. Mary Hicks, our sophomore class moderator and religion teacher, explains, “Every time you look back at [the ring], you think of your class and how far you have come.”

Unlike other schools, Louisville presented our rings during sophomore year. In Miami-Dade, the juniors put on their rings as they're declared the new senior class. Louisville’s ring ceremony takes place during sophomore year, rather than junior or senior year, because there are many traditions that take place senior year.

Rosalia Cortese '23 waiting for the ring ceremony to begin.

Dzian Tran '23 posing under the cherry blossom tree before the ring ceremony.

Due to COVID-19 some schools chose to do a car parade where students and their families could drive up to pick up their class rings and celebrate without leaving their cars.

Louisville chose to go traditional, yet adapted the ceremony to be held outside. We were obligated to wear two masks and stay six feet apart. Louisville's efforts to keep us safe while still allowing the ceremony to take place in person shows just how much they care.

This ceremony also symbolizes the journey to adulthood in senior year; senior year will not be easy. We may have jobs or personal duties, but we will pursue the path of maturity one step at a time as a class. Although we will all move on with our lives, the ring is there to remind us of our beautiful adolescent years at Louisville.