Veritas Juniors Honored in Grand Tradition

At Veritas Preparatory Academy, the transition from 10^th to 11^th grade is symbolized through a change in uniform.  Every year the juniors are presented with a navy-blue blazer to wear on campus. The blazer represents the hard work the students have put into their schooling, and the work that lies ahead of them. This tradition is marked by a formal ceremony attended by all the 8^th through 12^th grade students and faculty.  This is a highly anticipated event at the school and one that the juniors look forward to.

The ceremony opened with a processional while the Academic Festival Overture by Brahams played.  After a recitation of The Windhover by Manley Hopkins, led by Assistant Headmaster David Nydegger, Headmaster Theresa Weiland gave the opening remarks.  Michael Austin, a former faculty member, who now serves as a Development Specialist for Great Hearts, delivered the keynote speech.

Austin reminded the scholars of the weight that this great honor carried.  “You are putting on the blazer today as a mark of the responsibility you have for this community. For the communal good.”  The blazers symbolize the hard work and discipline of the scholars to get to this pivotal point in their schooling.  To many, it is more than just an additional article of the school uniform.  They wear the blazers as a badge of honor and the acceptance of greater responsibility on campus.  “The good you achieve is the ability to change well,” added Austin.

Physics Teacher James Ward and faculty members assisted juniors with the donning of their blazer as they were called up the front of the auditorium by name.  Once they received their blazer, they proceeded across the stage to receive their Veritas lapel pin from Headmaster Weiland.

Closing remarks were made by Michael Sullivan, a Humane Letters Teacher who has taught at Veritas for 20 years, since the first year of the academy.  The ceremony closed with the student body singing Gaudeamus Igitur led by junior scholar, Juddiel Alferez.

A reception for the blazer-adorned juniors followed in the academy’s garden area where refreshments were served.  The pomp and circumstance of the entire event was inspiring for all.  For the underclassmen who look forward to the day they receive their blazer and pin, to the seniors who reminisce the day they first put their own blazers on.

“I hope donning the blazers on Formal Fridays reminds each of our juniors to recognize the uniqueness of what they do here and to participate in making their time here fruitful,” said Weiland.

It is a tradition that faculty and scholars alike hold dear.  Tradition is a cornerstone of Great Hearts Academies, and the blazer ceremony takes place at many campuses.  View a previous Blazer Ceremony below.

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