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Seniors Celebrate
RING MASS & RING DAY
T
he St. Scholastica Academy Class
of 2007, the 104th class of SSA,
received their traditional senior rings
at a special Ring Mass at Mary Queen of
Peace Church on August 31. The Mass,
celebrated by Msgr. William Bilinsky with
Assisting Deacon, Harold J. Burke, was
attended by the SSA senior class, their
families and friends, and the SSA faculty.
The seniors received their coveted senior
class rings symbolizing their memories at
SSA, the traditions they hold dear, and the
many women who have gone before them
and those who will follow.
Senior Class
President,
Afton Zaunbrecher,
holding the Senior
Class candle, leads
the procession at
the Senior Ring
Mass at Mary
Queen of Peace
Church.
Under the direction of SSA’s music director,
Sharon Scharmer, the SSA advanced choir
performed during the ceremony.
The seniors continued their celebration
the next day at “Ring Day”. As they made
the traditional procession through the
front gates of the Academy, each senior was
met by her eighth grade little sister who
presented her with a rose. The seniors gave
SSA alumna
Mary Pechon
Robin ‘76
addresses the
seniors reflecting
on her memories
at St. Scholastica
during the Ring
Mass ceremony.
each of their little sisters a white ribbon in
anticipation of her senior ring and a card
with the senior class motto: “Yesterday
brought the beginning, tomorrow brings
the end, but somewhere in the middle, we
became the best of friends.” The seniors
filed into the gym where the rest of the
SSA students, along with the faculty, staff,
and parents, were waiting. SSA Principal
Mary Kathryn Villere gave the welcome
address, and senior class secretary Emily
Rodriguez led the assembly in the opening
prayer. Math teacher and co-senior
moderator Sybil Roussell read the
scripture reading from the Gospel of John,
while English teacher and co-senior
moderator Patrice Cedor gave a reflection
of the Gospel reading telling the seniors
that if they follow the example of St.
Scholastica, the patroness of SSA, they
will be able to do more because they loved
more.
Senior class vice president Aubrey Rector
gave an explanation of the history and
symbolism of the SSA class ring. She
The SSA Class of 2007 senior rings.
shared the significance of each detail on
the ring. Several of the SSA seniors have
mothers who also attended the Academy.
Five of these alumnae moms shared their
experiences of SSA and the importance of
their own senior rings. They shared the
similarities and differences of SSA now
to their own years at SSA as well as the
special place they each hold in their hearts
for their memories of the Academy. The
alumnae moms who shared their stories
were Gina Bechac ’88, mother of Rebecca
Bechac; Donna Perrone Blossman ’79,
mother of Lauren Blossman; Kellie Ory
Gagliano ’82, mother of Zetta Gagliano;
Mary Pechon Robin ’76, mother of Caity
Robin; and Desirée Taylor Billeaud ’76,
mother of Cace Billeaud.
Senior class president Afton Zaunbrecher
shared her memories of ring days from
grades 8-12. She imparted the changing
significance each ring day had for her,
including being part of the ceremony as a
little sister, watching her friends and
classmates receive their rings, and finally
being part of her own ring ceremony. SSA
President Marguerite Celestin invoked the
closing blessing for the seniors after which
the choir closed the ceremony with the
SSA Alma Mater. The seniors and parents
were invited to a special reception hosted
by the sophomore class in the cafeteria.
St. Scholastica Academy alumnae proudly stand behind their beautiful SSA
Senior daughters at the reception held after the Ring Day celebration.
(L-R): Desiree Taylor Billeaud ‘76 with Cace, Donna Perrone Blossman ‘79
with Lauren, Mary Pechon Robin ‘76 with Caity, and
Kellie Ory Gagliano ‘82 with Zetta.
6 D O V E W I N G S
SSA Seniors pose for a picture at the Grotto after the Ring Day Celebration.
Front Row: Holly Martin, Ashley Dutel, Blaire Levy.
Nancy Rossi, Averell Ellis, Afton Zaunbrecher, Brittany Decareaux, Alli Lloyd,
Allyse Gillen, Lauren Williams, Kylan Debrock, Gaby Klein.