Class ring facts for kids
A class ring is a special ring that students wear. It helps them remember their graduation from high school, college, or university. People also call it a graduation ring, senior ring, or grad ring.
Today, you can make class rings very unique. You can choose the material, like gold or silver. You can also pick the color and shape of the gem in the middle. Many rings have special pictures, symbols, or words on the sides. Some even have tiny designs inside the main gem!
Contents
History of Class Rings
The idea of class rings started a long time ago. The first class to wear them was in 1835. These students were from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
How to Wear Your Class Ring
There are some traditions about how to wear a class ring.
Wearing Before Graduation
When you are still in school, some people wear the ring with its design facing towards them. This is like a reminder of your goal: to graduate!
Wearing After Graduation
Once you graduate, the ring becomes a "badge of honor." It's like your diploma, but on your finger! After graduation, you can turn the ring so the design faces outwards. This way, everyone else can see it.
West Point Tradition
Students from the United States Military Academy at West Point have a special way of wearing their rings. They often wear their rings on their left hand. This is because of an old belief that a vein connects the left ring finger to the heart. Before they graduate, they wear the ring with the school crest closest to their heart. This shows their strong connection to their class.
The Ring Melt Tradition
Some military academies have a very unique tradition called the "ring melt."
What is the Ring Melt?
At places like the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, and United States Air Force Academy, class rings have a special secret. Each new class ring contains tiny bits of melted gold. This gold comes from rings that were donated by alumni who have passed away.
Why Do They Do It?
This tradition means that a piece of history is in every new ring. It connects the new graduates to all the past graduates. It's a way to honor the people who came before them. It also shows the strong bond between everyone who graduated from that school. The Citadel also follows this special tradition.
See also
In Spanish: Anillo de graduación para niños
