Recently on a breezy fall evening in October, the Mount Saint Dominic community gathered to celebrate a cherished milestone in every Mount student’s journey—the Junior Ring Ceremony. Held in the Doris M. Byrne ‘40 Performing Arts Center, the event was organized by Junior Class Moderator Sister Peggy Ann Clinton, with support from Mrs. Valerie Haggerty and Señor Juan Castrillon as junior homeroom moderators, marking a memorable rite of passage for the Class of 2026.

Known to many as the “Ring Ceremony” or “Junior Ring,” the Junior Ring Ceremony is an annual event where juniors receive their class rings from the Principal or Head of School. This year, the Mount’s new principal, Dr. Karen D’Avino, presented the rings to each student. “The ring ceremony is the time when juniors officially become upperclasswomen,” said Sister Peggy Ann. This year, the theme was “Set the World on Fire,” inspired by Saint Catherine of Siena, who famously said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

Mount faculty member Mr. Gregory Rasmusson delivered the keynote address to this year’s Junior Class, reflecting on the monumental moments that shaped his journey. Mr. Rasmusson continued the tradition of current and former faculty speakers, including Sister Peggy Ann, Mr. Robert DeCarlo, Mrs. Nicole Perez-Cheddie ‘10, Mrs. Mary Scheurer, and Mr. Michael Vigil, who have all inspired past junior classes.

Mount students who participated in the Junior Ring Ceremony will take the next step toward leaving a mark on a place that, for many, has come to symbolize home. According to Sister Peggy Ann, this ceremony not only “helps them remember where they come from” but also honors “all of the other women who have come before them on the Mount journey.” As with previous Ring Ceremonies, this year’s event illustrated the history and lasting impact of the Mount. In classes with many legacy students, “some great pictures of people with their mothers, both with their rings,” provide Sister Peggy Ann with a wealth of memories. This year’s junior class included legacies such as Hope O’Connor and her mother, Beth O’Connor ‘90, and Alexis Castaneda and her mother, Genevieve Samia Castaneda ’94. Following the ceremony, students and relatives gathered in the cafeteria for refreshments.

(NOTE: MSDA junior Taylor Provillon is a member of the Mount’s Journalism class. As part of the coursework, some of the articles written in that class are being published in the media, showcasing the students’ journalistic skills and providing real-world writing experience.)