As each junior’s name is called, she anticipates the name which will follow, the name of the Sionian who will give it to her. The person who will hand her the item many students wait three long years for at Sion: The Sion ring.

Juniors and seniors participated in the annual Sion ring ceremony on April 30. Most juniors received their ring from a senior friend or sister while others received them from a family member who already graduated from Sion. Some juniors were even surprised when older sisters returned from college for the ceremony just to present the coveted piece of jewelry to their little sister. Junior Milan Cucchiara was surprised when, after being convinced her sister would not attend, she saw her walking toward her with the little black ring box.

“I cried [when my sister came out],” Cucchiara said. “She came out crying so I cried.”

High School Division Head Natalie McDonough opened the ceremony with a prayer followed by Head of School Chris Broderick who spoke toward the Junior and Senior Classes, thanking them for successfully leading the school and spreading the Sion mission wherever they go.

Before the passing of the rings and leadership from the Senior Class to the Junior Class, Senior Class President Courtney Tushaus spoke to the Junior Class, advising them to appreciate the next year of high school and to never forget the memories created. Junior Class President Alexis Cucchiara then spoke to the Senior Class thanking them for their leadership and spirit. After the transfer of leadership from 2015 Student Body President Angela Griffin to 2016 Student Body President Emmie Gragg, it came time for the passing of the rings.

For some Sionians, the Sion ring, created for Sion by Cartier in 1927, symbolizes the transfer of leadership from the Senior Class to the Junior Class. For others, it is a symbol that connects Sionians wherever they go.

“I’ll be at work and ladies will flash their rings and be like ‘oh my goodness you go to Sion, so did I,’” senior Evie Hauptmann said. “It’s such a universal symbol of our school and the sisterhood it represents.”