Following high school tradition, Gables held its annual Junior Ring Ceremony on the night of Feb. 26 for an evening of student pride and celebration. Class of 2026 students were able to purchase the memorabilia prior to the event and booked themselves a ticket along with their purchase. Through an evening of recognized accomplishment and shared spirit, students celebrated their Cavalier culture.
At 5:30 p.m., student activities volunteers began preparations for the event, preparing the stage of the auditorium with Cavalier decorations as well as coordinating the seating for the event. When the guests of the evening finally arrived at 6 p.m., parents and students were handed a program which provided information as to who would present each segment of the event.
After parents and students filled into their respective sections, the event kicked off with the JROTC taking to the stage to perform an honorary display of the Presentation of Colors. Subsequently after, the Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem. Soon after, Principal Balboa was welcomed to the stage to give a presentation on the significance and tradition behind the ring and its ceremony. Detailing the ring and the event’s importance, he emphasized the unity and tradition which it represented.
“The tradition that comes with the ring is really a big part of what make the event special. The symbolic process you go through after you get it is even more of a bonus, as the ceremony tells you everything you need to know about what to do with it once you own the ring,” junior Trinity Perez said.
When the time finally came, juniors were individually called up one by one to receive their class ring as well as a turning card and rose. Courtesy of the Herff Jones company, each ring was uniquely made to the preferences of the student; students were able to customize the material of the ring, the decorative stone, the emblems on it and more.
“By having a ring that you customized and you made to your preferences, it feels personal and something that is a physical representation of yourself and your accomplishments. It felt different from regular jewelry because it’s unique to me,” junior Anastasia Caputo said.
After every junior had been called, the presentation continued to how to correctly wear the class ring. Placing an emphasis again on tradition, juniors were instructed on the proper way to wear their class ring. Cavaliers were instructed to wear the ring with the school name facing the bearer of it, representing their pending graduation. Following their graduation, ring bearers can turn the ring so that the school faces away, representing pride for their alma mater.
“My favorite part about the ring is how it changes as time passes and as you grow and reach new milestones. [Turning the school name after graduation] is a way the ring changes with you and is a way to visualize your accomplishments and what you have achieved,” junior Rafael Hanono said.
As the event came to a close, the time-old tradition of turning the class ring was left. The Class of 2026 was instructed to turn their ring 26 times towards their pinky finger, saving the final 27th time for someone special. Class sponsor Ms. Monzon concluded the event by reminding students of their duty to uphold pride for their school, as well as how the ring represented more than just a jewelry piece.
“My family has traditionally bought the class ring for each generation of my family, so to finally have mine is meaningful to me. As for the turns, I’m not sure who I will save my last turn for, but it will probably be my parents as they mean a lot to me,” junior Bryan Alonso said.
With their new ring, Cavaliers were gifted with a tangible object to represent the growth they have gone through in not only their high school lives, but in their lives as a whole. Now, with their eyes set on the future, soon to be Class of 2026 graduates are constantly reminded to not forget the milestones in their life and the beauty of growth.
