Eight hundred ninety days since they set foot on campus as freshman Oak Knoll high school students, members of the class of 2024 gathered with their parents and loved ones in the Mother Mary Campion for the Performing Arts to receive their class rings in the traditional Junior Ring Ceremony.

“This is an important milestone, a great marker of the distance we have come since our first day here,” said Junior Class President Maxi Aranowitz ’24 in her welcoming remarks. “We have grown in confidence and sophistication. We have grown in knowledge, and possibly most importantly, we have grown in friendships and shared experiences.”

After an opening prayer, and the reading of “A friendship Blessing,” Junior Class Vice-President Lucy Duttenhofer ’24 led the blessing of the rings. All members of the Class of 2024 recited a blessing that included the line, “Help us always remember that our school has given to us: a circle of friends that grows each year, an appreciation of knowledge and learning, and, most importantly, a home where we are always welcome both now and in the years ahead.”

Next, students processed forward one at a time to receive their much-anticipated 2024 class rings. The proceedings introduced a new tradition whereby alumnae/i presented rings to family members in the class. This year meant a number of rings were presented to daughters, nieces, sisters, and cousins.

The ceremony included several additional readings by students, reflections by Upper School Division Head Kathryn McGroarty and Head of School Jennifer Landis, a musical performance, a closing prayer and singing of the Oak Knoll Alma Mater.

The Class of 2024 has the unique distinction of graduating in Oak Knoll’s centennial year — they will be forever remembered as our centennial class. “So what brings the years 1924 and 2024 together? I would argue that it is the spirit of Oak Knoll and the incredible students who choose to call this their home for learning and growing. Today, when you received your Class of 2024 ring, I hope you took a moment to reflect on how you are connected to generations of past and future graduates,” remarked McGroarty.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 who will ascend in the fall to their final year at Oak Knoll and become the new leaders of our school.