News
Special Ring Day for Juniors
Ring Day for juniors is rarely a complete surprise, but it's always a day of fun and tradition.
Revered as the symbol of an academic career at GPS, the class ring is the most recognized emblem among GPS alumnae. The ceremonies on the day when juniors receive their rings are usually more about fun than reverence.
When an ambulance (off-duty) with sirens blaring pulled into the GPS circle, the junior class was ready. Suspecting that Friday, March 10, was “the day,” they had half-heartedly listened in assembly but perked up when their class president, Reagan Lamb, walked out on stage in a doctor’s scrubs. “I’m here to save lives,” she said, “one ring at a time!” With that, the entire junior class ran to the driveway to meet the ambulance and received Ring Pops thrown from other class officers who climbed out of the ambulance to surprise their classmates.
Then it was on to the Caldwell Commons to receive their rings in a festive atmosphere decorated in their class color. Yellow pinwheels lined the space, looking like spring flowers. Lemonade was the beverage, of course, and each girl received a ring-shaped cookie.
The reception offered plenty of time for the “turning of the rings” tradition, a practice that began in 1977 and continued on Friday as girls asked friends and faculty to “turn” their ring. This year, the girls will have the rings turned 118 times, the last two digits those of their graduation year.
