Hey juniors, Rosary Day is almost here! It is hard to imagine that in less than a month our class will officially be upperclasswomen. Rosary Day has always been a wonderful tradition that Rosary students look forward to every year. As well as being one of the most anticipated Rosary traditions, it is also one of the oldest school traditions.
The first Rosary Day occurred in 1965, shortly after the school opened. While the juniors might not have received their class rings on this day, it celebrated our school’s devotion to Mary, a devotion that, like Rosary Day, endures today. A newly added portion of the event is the trip to Disneyland. While the Rosary Day mass focuses primarily on the junior class, going to Disneyland is a special experience for all classes. This trip helps Royals, especially freshmen, to make new friends and to bond with the ones that they already have. Rosary Day is a carefully planned event, and to ensure that the plans become a reality, all juniors have to remember to do a few simple things before Oct. 3. Let’s go over some reminders for the big day:
- If you enjoy singing, be sure to sign up for the Rosary Day choir.
With the help of Amanda Fernández ‘27 and Nattie Valdovinos ’27, a few select juniors will be singing a special song at the Rosary Day Mass. Ms. La Bonte ’09 sent out an email on Sept. 10 with information about how to sign up; be sure to check this out if you are interested in being a part of the choir.
2. Pick out your Rosary Day outfit with plenty of time to spare.
One of the best parts of the Rosary Day ceremony is seeing the juniors process into Mass while wearing the beautiful outfits that they picked out for the event. Make sure to pick out an outfit that fits the requirements laid out in the Rosary Day dress code (sent out by Dean Burboa on Sept. 9) and to get it as soon as possible to avoid rushing at the last minute.
3. Decide who you want to present you with your ring by Sept. 19.
One beautiful part of Rosary Day is the presentation of the rings by Rosary alumni. This is a very important part of the ceremony that truly highlights the Rosary sisterhood. Mrs. Huerta ‘94, a Rosary alumna, knows about this beautiful tradition and looks forward to experiencing it every year. “This tradition is very special to me this year because my daughter will be receiving her ring from me,” Mrs. Huerta says, “If you are related to the junior, it is even more memorable because it continues the Rosary legacy and the sisterhood. It is always an honor and a privilege to be asked to present the juniors with their rings.”
Each student is allowed to choose one Rosary alumna that they know to present them with their class rings. If Royals have an alumna in mind, they have to fill out a form with their presenter’s information by Sept. 19, so that important event information can be forwarded to them. The form was emailed to all juniors by Mrs. Pontius on Aug. 27. Make sure to fill out the form if you know an alumna who would be willing to present you with your ring.
4. If you are interested in carrying symbols or reading about them, be sure to fill out the form that was shared at the junior class meeting on Sept. 17
A special part of the ceremony is the presentation of the symbols. In this part, juniors will read about and present symbols that they think represent their class and their devotion to Rosary, and their faith. Common symbols include the class mascot, the mascots of the other classes, and a Bible. A QR code was shared at the class meeting this past week; if you would like to take part in this tradition, fill out the form as soon as possible.
5. Carefully pick the shoes that you will wear with your outfit.
As proved by former Rosary Day ceremonies, grass and stilettos do not mix. To avoid losing your shoe to the ever-present mud on the lawn, wear “chunkier” heels that will not sink into the grass. These are a great choice, but so are nice sandals, ballet flats, or wedges.
Juniors have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks, with the Rosary Day prep. With all of the stress that some Royals may be facing with the preparations, they should keep in mind that the whole point of Rosary Day is not to look their best, but instead is to celebrate the lasting impact of the Rosary sisterhood and how Mary impacts our school. Danalynn Lam ‘27 looks forward to celebrating the sisterhood that she has found at Rosary on one of the most important days for juniors. “As a junior, I am most excited to finally receive my class ring and take part in a tradition that so many Royals before me have experienced. It feels so special to celebrate not only my class, but also the entire Rosary sisterhood that unites us all,” Lam says, “I plan to celebrate the Rosary sisterhood by participating in the Rosary Day choir with my fellow sisters and making memories together at Disneyland afterwards.” Rosary Day is coming fast, juniors. Are you ready to make some long-lasting memories?
