High school class ring ceremonies...do parents go?

[Becky2005]

In my high school you had to earn the letter but buy the jacket to put it on. Girls usually bought different ones than the boys did, so when my brothers came to high school, Mom had a rude awakening with just how expensive the guys ones were

That's how ours was too. Anyone could buy a "letter jacket" and I think 90% of the school had one. The girl's one had a zippered flap at the back and then the guys was just a regular one (no zippered flair back thing).

The letters were then earned.

 

[Becky2005]

What is turning the ring that I've seen mentioned?

I've never heard of that either -- what's it supposed to mean?

I apparently grew up in a place that lives under a rock since we did nothing of the sort. We also got the class rings before Senior year! I think it was Sophmore or Junior year. I know it wasn't Freshman year but it was definitely before Senior!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

That's how ours was too. Anyone could buy a "letter jacket" and I think 90% of the school had one. The girl's one had a zippered flap at the back and then the guys was just a regular one (no zippered flair back thing).

The letters were then earned.

I guess you technically had to earn them at our school, but not just the players got them. I actually lettered in football by being a water girl, and there were around 6 of us! You could also letter in academics, but the border color was different so you could tell the difference. Not very many people bought the jackets outside of the football team, even though you could letter in any sport.

 

[ZPT1022]

That's how ours was too. Anyone could buy a "letter jacket" and I think 90% of the school had one. The girl's one had a zippered flap at the back and then the guys was just a regular one (no zippered flair back thing).

The letters were then earned.

The jackets could be purchased at a local sports store/monogramming place. I don't think anyone had one that didn't have a letter to put on it, but there were quite a few who wore an older brother's or even Dad's. Our girls one was a pullover, and the boys had the traditional thick varsity jacket with the buttons and the "leather" sleeves. I still have mine, lol. My mom wore it after I graduated to the boys' football games.

 

[ZPT1022]

I guess you technically had to earn them at our school, but not just the players got them. I actually lettered in football by being a water girl, and there were around 6 of us! You could also letter in academics, but the border color was different so you could tell the difference. Not very many people bought the jackets outside of the football team, even though you could letter in any sport.

I lettered in music. My letter looked the same but it had music notes across it. My pin was, oh crap, I forget what the pin was, but it was nice I guess. Not just anyone who took music got a letter, you had to be involved to a certain level and then you got it. I got mine for show choir

 

[NookOfTheNorth]

What is turning the ring that I've seen mentioned?

I've never heard of that either -- what's it supposed to mean?

I apparently grew up in a place that lives under a rock since we did nothing of the sort. We also got the class rings before Senior year! I think it was Sophmore or Junior year. I know it wasn't Freshman year but it was definitely before Senior!

I don't think it's a midwestern thing at all because I had nevere heard about it until I started teaching in Baltimore County. There, the kids had an actual ring dance...where they walked through a large ring cutout. And, then each student had to have their ring turned around while on the finger. (I'm pretty sure it was a certain direction) the same number of times as their year of graduation. And, if I remember correctly (it's been almost 10 years) the kids had to have different people turn the ring for them. Let me tell you that was a fun dance to chaperone

What I can't remember is if it was the full 4 digits that it had to be turned or just the last two,

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I don't think it's a midwestern thing at all because I had nevere heard about it until I started teaching in Baltimore County. There, the kids had an actual ring dance...where they walked through a large ring cutout. And, then each student had to have their ring turned around while on the finger. (I'm pretty sure it was a certain direction) the same number of times as their year of graduation. And, if I remember correctly (it's been almost 10 years) the kids had to have different people turn the ring for them. Let me tell you that was a fun dance to chaperone

What I can't remember is if it was the full 4 digits that it had to be turned or just the last two,

Was this a Catholic school? We are in A.A. county, and it seemed big in the private schools, but not the public ones.

Also, we HAD to get ours from Jostens. They were blessed before we ever saw them, so after you ordered, the school took care of getting them all ready for the ceremony. My class was the first class (1995) that got approval to get any other color besides the school colors. Before that year, your stone had to be red or white (clear) or it couldn't be in the ceremony.

What's funny is I don't remember the significance of the turning, but I know we all stood in a big circle around the auditorium and all the parents and did it ONCE. I've never heard of doing it multiple times. Maybe it is just the last two digits and that tradition started in 2001?

 

[GypsyDancer]

I guess you technically had to earn them at our school, but not just the players got them. I actually lettered in football by being a water girl, and there were around 6 of us! You could also letter in academics, but the border color was different so you could tell the difference. Not very many people bought the jackets outside of the football team, even though you could letter in any sport.

When I was in high school, the differences in who lettered in what were displayed right on the letter itself. Each sport had a little symbol of their sport embroidered into the letter at the bottom right hand corner. Each 'academic' letter had something embroidered onto it too (a pair of eighth-notesfor band, comedy/tradgedy masks for theatre and a G clef for choir, I think).

You could also have your name embroidered on the back, if you so chose.

GD

 

[Crankyshank]

I got my class ring hand delivered to my house by my great uncle, who worked for Balfour (where we got our rings from). We had a sophmore ring mass a few days later where everyone who had a ring got it blessed.

I bought my letter jacket with my own money, and earned the letter and the pins on it. You could only letter in athletics, drama, band, or color guard.

 

[Galahad]

We spent over $400 for DS#1's class ring when he was a Senior. He wore it about 3 months and never put it on again after he graduated. Thankfully, DS#2 isn't interested. But a ceremony for them seems really odd to me.

 

[CEDmom]

I went to a private school and we had a ring ceremony. It was really nice. A senior presented a junior with her ring. Since there were less than 100 girls in the upper school it was special. And yes, every girl had a ring. Some girls were there on scholarship so if their parents couldn't afford it the school paid for it.

I do have to say that in a public school where not all kids would get a ring I don't think it would be right to have a ceremony during school hours but I don't see a problem with it after school. I think it gives more meaning to it then just picking it up in the office.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My school in New Orleans (public high school) had a ring ceremony and a ring dance. (During my sophomore year--I kept wondering what everyone was so gosh darn excited about going to a "rain" dance --darn tinutis!!! Can't hear squat b/c of that ringing sometimes!!! They didn't have this at my first high school--so didn't know it was a "ring" dance. ).

The ring ceremony was more of a right of passage to senior year as was the ring dance (aka junior prom). It was done during school in the courtyard.

I had ordered a ring but my mom got a military transfer--so before my ring order was finalized, I cancelled the order. (didn't know I could transfer the order and never ended up getting a class ring).

For the ring ceremony, they let me supply any old ring--so I just used one from what I had. That way I could be part of the ceremony.

And from what little I remember--isn't turning the ring sort of like flipping the tassel from one side to the other. Just a symbolic gesture of beginning the next chapter. (just a guess--but since it was mentioned here...I think they did do something like that).


Not sure what hubby's high school did. But he wore his ring all through college and then turned it in to be "recycled" into a college graduate ring that he still wears 11 years later.

For us it was a right of passage--this was in the early 90s.

 

[momrek06]

DS#1 went to a public high school, no ceremony. He was given the ring in an assembly during school (no parents or families in attendance). He selected the ring in his Sophomore year (Spring) and was delivered to the school in December of his Junior year. He brought it home right before XMAS break and I wrapped it and put it under the tree. He was Class of 2000 and the ring was $350.00.
DS#2 went to a Catholic high school. They picked their rings in the Fall of their Sophomore year and received them in the Spring of their Sophomore year. They had a "Ring Ceremony" and yes all family members attended. There was a Mass in which the rings were all blessed and then distributed to those that bought them. They had a reception at the school following the ceremony. He was Class of 2004 and then ring was $400.00.

Both DS's attend(ed) the same private Catholic college in the Northeast. Classes of 2004 and 2008! Their college has an entire weekend dedicated to receiving your class ring called "Junior Ring Weekend". Their rings were roughly $500.00 each. The weekend was full of activities..i.e. banquets, dances, galas and Mass. A weekend anyone attending this college raves that this is one of the best times had during their years at the college. :

 

[Roocatty]

My DD is having her ring ceremony at a public school this week. It's after school and is not sponsored by the ring company. If you buy your ring elsewhere for cheaper you can give it to them to have it presented with the rest. A few of her friends did that last year as will this year.

People will always be excluded from something by choice or by circumstances. My daughter was one of the few I her band that refused to go on the Disney trip. I know that sounds shocking but they had a horrible group planner. It was 1100 a person for 3 days not including food and sleeping In an offsite hotel one night and the rest of the nights sleeping on the bus. Having seen me planning she knew that was overpriced and not worth it. So she chose not to go. A couple of months later we flew down with had a QS meal plan, stayed at pop, and had park hoppers for 5 days and it was much less each.

She had to sit through endless practices during school time of the pieces they would play but that's just how it goes sometimes. Almost every school has been offering trips like this for seniors or various clubs and they all seem way overpriced. I'm not sure why. With group rates they sound be able to see these places cheaper than I can.

Sorry that got a little off topic.

 

[DisneyOma]

As far as I know, in my area only the Catholic schools have ring ceremonies.

My son's school has their ceremony at the end of the junior year. Yes, I'll be there next spring.





So because someone may not be able to afford something, it shouldn't be offered for those who can?

Let's say the parents can't afford the ring. If the child really wants one, what's stopping them from getting a job to pay for it?

I'm looking forward to "wasting" my money on my son's class ring. As a matter fact we'll be "wasting" money on a year book, trips, the pin ceremony, pictures, prom... :woohoo
:

Hopefully that school system has a way to help out those who cannot afford all the things that make great memories in high school. I know we have Boosters, a few local charity organizations (including free prom dresses) and sometimes staff (me, included) donate time and money so as many kids as possible can participate.

So does that mean you put an end to things everyone can't take part in?

What about class trips? Some parents can't afford to pay for trips. Not all schools or PTAs are able to cover the cost of these students. Should these schools cancel class trips?

Not all kids can afford the prom or senior trip. Should those be canceled as well?

Class trips should be funded for all - especially if they are happening during the school day. We have numerous fundraising opportunities for every grade to fund events that happen during the school day. Public education shouldn't offer so many 'optional' costly events anyways.

 

[Poohforyou]

I had a ring ceremony at my hs, but it was a private girls school and there were 32 of us in the class.

My daughter didn't want a ring but I'm certain her public hs doesn't have a ceremony.

BTW, parents didn't go to my ring ceremony. It was during the day anyway. I'd think something at night is done so parents can attend.

 

[Missy1961]

Wow, the kid in the OP got his ring almost 10 years ago! Wonder if he still has it.

 

[rwdavis2]

A pointless ceremony for a pointless object. I just pawned my 1975 ring fro about $275. A nice profit.

 

[Kitty 34]

With the theme of this week's threads, should we just call this a paranormal thread??!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I know it is a zombie thread, but I will say, DH and I never got rings and neither did my kids. I have never even heard of a ring ceremony, lol.