November 4, 2011: Ring Day. Ring Day is one of the most significant events here at Notre Dame Prep and also one of the most important traditions. Ring Day itself begins with a liturgy for class members and their parents. Then, in a formal school assembly, the headmistress presents each junior with her onyx and gold ring. Receiving her school ring marks a new period in each girl’s life; the day when she finally leaves childhood and enters the world as a young woman.

This momentous event does not run without great effort from the junior class. The planning for this event begins over a month in advance. It begins with the selecting of a theme and the main song. For the Class of 2013, their theme is “Unwritten.” Early morning practices are mandatory to learn the song the juniors will sing to the school. Committees, which are in charge of decorations, favors, liturgy, bulletin and song, are also formed. Members of the decorations committee are already hard at work to come up with new and improved ideas. The blue tulle that hangs from the ceiling was pulled out from the Middle Level Gym storage, and the decorations committee was hard at work weeks in advance.

The whole day begins with a private liturgy for the junior class and their parents. During the liturgy, each homeroom presents a  special item as a symbol of the unity and sisterhood that was forged during Junior Retreat. Next, the juniors are quickly shuffled out of the auditorium as the rest of the school files in. The family, friends and fellow Notre Dame sisters are silent when the music begins to play, and the juniors walk in, two by two. Each girl comes forward when her name is called to receive her much anticipated ring. After the ceremony is complete, most girls go out with their family for lunch before heading home to get ready for the Ring Dance later that night. And, of course, dresses are chosen well in advance.

But Ring Day is not just about the dress or the pre-parties. Class rivalries mean nothing in the wake of Ring Day; the rings are a symbol of unity among all those who enter Notre Dame Preparatory School. Together, everyone is unified in sisterhood.