On April 8, various members of Miami Palmetto Senior High’s Class of 2026 attended the Junior Ring Ceremony, marking a memorable moment in their high school careers. Class rings have been a tradition in the United States since 1835, and now the Class of 2026 has joined in on this rite of passage, also finding new purposes in their rings along the way.
Juniors initially received information about the rings at the Junior Class Assembly in the fall. Junior and Class of 2026 president Ruby Pelz played a large role in helping organize the event.
“I had to help set up all the decorations, run the ceremony, and make sure everything was organized. I also had to keep up with social media in order to ensure that everyone knew what was going on and was on task,” Pelz said.
The ring process was spread out over several months, giving students time to choose from the various selections of rings, as well as time for the ceremony to be planned behind the scenes. Juniors had the option to personalize their rings down to the smallest details, such as including a sentimental message or phrase on it. Pelz, for example, chose a ring with a panther and a light blue stone on it. Junior Elizabeth Irizarry, however, discovered what ring was hers when it was given to her at the ceremony, as her mother designed it for her.
“I originally did not want a ring. My mom was the one that told me she was buying one for me, and I still told her I didn’t want one, but she bought it. She just told me to pick out a dress and come to the ceremony,” Irizarry said. “I’m actually really happy with [my ring], because it’s not a big ring and I don’t like big rings, and she actually made one with my birthstone, so it’s actually really cute.”
Despite not wanting a ring at first, Irizarry found the tradition more memorable after having received one.
“I like the meaning behind a junior ring and what comes with it, like twisting, how [the] 25 most important people [to you] get to twist your ring,” Irizarry said.
Now, Irizarry’s ring will serve as her unexpected reminder of the best parts of her junior year. On the other hand, some juniors knew that just like other members of the family, they too would get a junior ring when the time came.
“My grandparents, uncles, cousins and parents all have rings so that definitely made me get one; I don’t think I would’ve gotten one if they didn’t,” junior Cristian Lopez said. “I got the basic designs with the panther and the blue gem because I don’t see the point in getting the class ring without it, you need the school mascot and color. Also, [I] got my name and graduation year to make it more personalized.”
Lopez believed his ring would be a nice way to remember the people he met in high school, and through the process of getting a ring, he was also able to witness the class’ excitement and humorous moments throughout this milestone.
“My favorite part [of the junior ring ceremony] was when half the kids put their ring on early after being told not to, but we all misheard,” Lopez said.
The junior ring ceremony, while viewed as an outdated tradition by some, remains an important part to some students in the class of 2026.
“There isn’t really anything special on my ring but the sentimental value of it to me is that I can pass on a tradition that many before me have been doing,” junior Maya Coloma said. “Something I would like to add is that I really want to push anyone that isn’t sure to get a ring to definitely get one, it’s a really big moment to have a cherish from high school.”
