Last week, Sacred Hearts Academy juniors officially became upperclassmen through the annual Junior Ring ceremony. The ceremony has been a school tradition for more than 70 years.

Junior Madeleine Sing, who has been a student at the Academy since grade school, said that being an upperclassman will take some getting used to.

“The fact that we’re almost seniors is pretty scary,” she said. “But I’m extremely excited to spend my last memories in high school with the class of 2018.”

Prior to the ceremony, which occurs in the school chapel, students chose to receive either the traditional ring or the class pin. In addition to parents presenting their daughter with the class memorabilia, students also receive a rose from their class.

While some students are still trying to process this transition of becoming upperclassmen, others, like junior Alana Glaser, say this moment is one she has looked forward to for years.

“It is very special to come from a long legacy of Sacred Hearts Academy graduates,” she said. “I take great pride in the legacy; in fact, this year I was wearing my mother’s class ring until I received my own last night at the ceremony.”

Now that juniors are officially upperclassmen, they can look forward to events closing out their junior year. Upcoming events include next week’s service day at Papahana Kuaola Loi and junior prom at the end of April.

“I look forward to the future, though, and I know I will always value the friends and experiences,” Glaser said.