The River of Grass (ROG) auditorium began to fill rows of seats with excited parents, students, and loved ones who joined Pines Charter this evening to celebrate Class of 2026’s ring ceremony. This day marked a special milestone in the lives of the junior class as they are now officially entering into a new and final chapter as high school students.
As the ceremony began, lights dimmed and a bright spotlight lit up the stage where the Class of 2026 council stood proudly one next to another. Junior class president Emmanuel Baptiste welcomed everyone for gathering in commemoration of the junior class. Following PPCHS principal Peter Bayer who shared an enlightening story about the symbolism behind a graduation ring and the rich tradition shared here for it.
Junior class vice president Julianna Perez shared the history of the rings that originally evolved from class pins previously regarded as “circles of friendship” between classmates. Today, a class ring holds a stronger meaning and connection that reflects a powerful pride in the accomplishments and memories made in high school.
Following the history came the meaning of the rings announced by junior senator Janeyliz Baez who shared that the ring is a tangible symbol of achievement for all the studying, hard work, and sacrifices put into high school to achieve one’s goals. After graduation, there might not be many opportunities to cross paths with the people who one is constantly surrounded with, so the ring holds the class together, no matter where they go.
Not only do the rings hold significant value, but there is a long-standing tradition on how to properly wear them to lock in good fortune which was explained by junior historian Emma Jane Hinton. When you first wear the ring, students should have friends and classmates turn the ring a total of 26 times to represent the graduation year.
The last person to turn the ring should be someone special. This special person will turn the ring in the opposite direction to fully “lock” the good fortune which Junior secretary Faith Bannosian describes as, “…a moment where I felt really connected to my peers—especially as I went around asking them to turn my ring.”
The wearing of the ring was presented by junior treasurer Giana Marte discussing the final part of the tradition of how to wear the ring. Once the student has their box, they must keep it in the package until everyone has received their rings. Then the class will put the rings on at the same time to allow the rings to bond the class.
As every name was announced by Class of 2026 sponsor Mrs. Blanco, cheers and loud applause echoed in the auditorium in celebration of each student walking across the stage. Once everyone had their ring box in hand, Mrs. Blanco gave the all clear for the students to open their rings at the same time and reveal their creations. Hugs were shared and applaus rose as each student slipped their ring on their finger as the official ring bearers of their jewelry piece.
“When I opened my ring I kept admiring the beauty of it. After putting it on I started to get a little emotional. It finally hit me that next year we are all seniors. It’s so surreal to me how senior year felt so far away and now it’s almost here. It made me realize that time goes by so fast and we should always cherish it,” Junior Kaitlyn Oramas wholeheartedly shares.
Standing up from their seats and meeting with the warm embraces of their families, students posed on and off the stage. Walking to the lobby of the ROG, drinks and sweet treats were neatly displayed in the tables for loved ones to grab before exiting the school.
With rings illustrating different symbols, shapes, and colors the meaning behind each ring shared the same goal—to capture the essence of their high school career as something they can wear forever. Leaving campus after a successful ceremony, the Class of 2026 welcomed their official inauguration as upperclassmen and the beginning of the end of their high school journey.
