Here at Saint Francis we have the annual tradition of the Candle Rose Ceremony between the Juniors and Seniors at the end of the school year. As the students line up, paired with one another, the Juniors hand the Seniors a rose and the Seniors hand them a lit candle.
The roses symbolize the Juniors love for the Seniors and the candle symbolizes that they are the light that guides us and the rest of the school. They will be the oldest ones when the Seniors graduate, setting the example. Since 7th grade, I’ve watched this ceremony and simply couldn’t wait for my turn to do this.
As the day came closer and closer, I realized that I’m getting older and soon I’m going to be the one getting the rose, not giving it. Soon after that, I’ll be graduating and that’s the end of the road. Junior Chiara Ganeku says, “I was excited to get the candle because it signifies growth and my transition to senior year.”
Feeling melodramatic about the day, Senior Sammie Ofoia explains, “The Candle Rose Ceremony is a great way to pass down the torch and all the responsibility of the Senior class to the Seniors to be. It’s a bittersweet moment.”
If you are in either of these two grades and are close with the other class, it can be an emotional, eye-opening moment. This is the beginning of the seniors officially ending their journey in high school.
