Juniors officially became upperclassmen through the annual Junior Ring ceremony held in the Academy chapel in the evening of Feb. 13.

Junior Michelle Mestanza said, “My sister who has also been through this process told me this would be a milestone in my high school career and therefore, I was really excited for this ceremony because I knew it would be our first step, as a class, to Senior Year.”

The ring ceremony has been a tradition of the Academy for over 70 years.

Campus minister and alumna, Sr. Katherine Francis Miller, said, “The Junior Ring ceremony has been a tradition of the Academy, beginning around 1940.”

Students had the option to choose a traditional ring or a pin which their parents gave during the ceremony to wear on their school tie. As part of the ceremony, homeroom teachers gave students roses to welcome them as upperclassmen.

Junior Kelli Keahiolalo said, “Lots of upperclassmen wear their class rings, so I wanted to take part in that special moment like they have.”

The ceremony marks the beginning of a busy schedule as upperclassmen.

Junior adviser, Leilani Asuncion-Tagupa, said, “The ceremony marked the beginning of all our activities for the year. Next up is the FAST, class lo’i service project and prom.”