A special venue marked the 50th anniversary of Ring Night

For the first time in recent memory, we celebrated a cherished Mayfield tradition, Ring Night, on the lovely Pergola Lawn, returning the ceremony to the magic of nightfall on its 50th anniversary.
During Mass on a cool spring evening beneath a full moon, about 300 family, friends and alumnae gathered for this rite of passage that signifies our juniors’ rise to assume leadership as the Senior Class of 2018. Fr. Jim Bevacqua presided at Mass.

The ceremony seals our students’ lifelong belonging to the Mayfield sisterhood. The first Ring Night was held at Mayfield’s Euclid Avenue campus in 1947, before the senior school moved to our beautiful Bellefontaine Street site. Generations of alumnae reflect back on this night as among their most special high school memories, marked by candlelight and reflection.

In past years it had been held inside Pike Auditorium. But this year, to accommodate more guests, the ceremony returned to its outdoor tradition.

“We extend to you our trust, our love and our faith,” Head of School Kate Morin told the class. “We extend to you our respect for what you have already given to Mayfield and what you are yet to give. We entrust to you the traditions of a Holy Child education, an education that values the dignity and and worth of each of its members.”

The deep symbolism of Ring Night was beautifully explained by Trinity Lopez ’18:
“Light was the hallmark of the original ceremony as it is tonight. Each member of our class carries a light to symbolize her call to lead by example with generosity and integrity. Each member will receive the ring she has chosen. In doing so she will confirm her bond to her class and to Mayfield.

“As we will discover, this bond will extend beyond the days of our youth and well into our adult lives. Each of us brings our individual gifts to the senior year of the Class of 2018. Through our gifts the class will bring to the school a unique leadership.

“As leaders we will learn to be advocates, confidants, visionaries and worker bees. The ring we receive tonight is a symbol of the leadership we are about to assume and how the lessons of our youth often come full circle to inform and to transform us throughout our adult years.”
Thank you to all our alumnae who came home to Mayfield to present class rings to their daughters, sisters and nieces—we love sharing these traditions with our extended Mayfield family!
Back
No comments have been posted

Photo Gallery

Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.