A senior’s cheat sheet
Image courtesy of Mount Holyoke College’s website
Mount Holyoke seniors will have to pass a few more tests before graduating and they arn’t finals. Rather, the soon-to-be alumnae will enroll in several Mount Holyoke traditions only open to seniors. This year’s syllabus will include Strawberries and Champagne, the welcome ceremony for new alumnae, the Senior Ball, the Canoe Sing, the stoling ceremony, and the senior gift.
Strawberries and Champagne:
Held on the last day of classes, this tradition welcomes the graduating seniors into the alumnae ranks with festive strawberries and champagne.
Image courtesy of Mount Holyoke Club of Greater DC’s eventbrite
Welcome Ceremony for New Alumnae:
This is another event to introduce the seniors into the alumnae ranks. It will be held this year on May 16. According to the Alumnae website, it is “a touching ceremony for graduating seniors in which the 50th-reunion ‘grandmother class’ presents seniors with class scarves.”
Senior Ball:
This year’s senior ball would make the class of 1925 proud. It is a prohibition themed gala where participants bring their own alcohol and wear flapper dresses.
Canoe Sing:
Started in 1973, the seniors embark on an long and difficult journey across Lower Lake in canoes. While on their trek, the former students sing their favorite songs and the Mount Holyoke anthem. According to the online Mount Holyoke Historical Atlas, the number of graduating seniors has grown so large that only a select few are chosen at random to participate. Non-paddlers can always watch from the shore. This year the Canoe Sing will be on May 18.
Stoling Ceremony:
On May 17, Mount Holyoke’s senior of color will attend the annual stoling ceremony to celebrate their achievements while at the college. During the ceremony, the participants will take time to thank their Mount Holyoke mentors and heroes. In return, their mentors and heroes will present them with the Kente cloth stole (a stole is like a long scarf) or sash.
Senior Gift:
Every year, the senior class presents a gift to the College as a thank you and to help persuade seniors to donate money to the school after they graduate. According to the Mount Holyoke College website, it is run by the Mount Holyoke’s Annual Fund and the money is raised by the seniors class.
Remember to go over this study guide every night this weekend, so you can pass and attend the real world university.
Author: Emma Ginader Emma Ginader is the Managing Editor of the Web since fall 2013 and the former Features editor. She is currently a junior studying English and Politics at Mount Holyoke College. She plans to become a political or cultural reporter. In her spare time, she religiously reads poetry and watches old sit-coms.
