Induction 2020: Shining a Light on the Dominican Family

Light the Fire Eighth grader Katherine Patron is all smiles as her “big sister,” senior Reagan Perry, lights her ceremonial candle at the 2019 New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. Incoming eighth graders and freshmen joined transfer students in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym to mark their official welcome to the Dominican family at this annual event. – photo by Lindsey Foles

As the class of 2020 has made their way to their final year of high school, their Little Sisters are just beginning their journey on Walmsley Avenue.

To welcome these eighth graders, the senior Big Sisters inducted the class of 2024 on Sept. 19 in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym. Also inducted in the Dominican family by grade-level buddies were other new students and transfer students from grades nine through eleven. Together, they participated in the customary passing of the candle ceremony.

“I felt proud during the induction. It was like everyone was thrilled to be having me as a new sister, classmate and student,” said transfer student Claire Garitty, junior.

Mrs. Jill Cabes (’87), vice president, Dominican Catholic Identity, sees the candle ceremony as a way to show students “passing the torch” and lighting up the Dominican family.

New freshmen Abby Evans (middle) and Laila Brown (far right) celebrate the start of their Dominican journeys with the help of their buddies, freshmen Aria Lewis, Mariah Malliett and Lily Martory (left to right). – photo by Lindsey Foles

This year, Dominican welcomed 175 eighth graders along with sixteen new and transfer students to the Dominican family. All inductees received a Veritas shield pin and a Dominican pennant.

“It was incredible. I kept on thinking about my own induction,” said Blake Beaulieu, senior. “I am so happy to be welcoming a new legacy to Dominican.”

Eighth grader Sarah Herbert shares that excitement. “It feels good to officially be a part of the Dominican sisterhood,” said Herbert, sporting her new pin and pennant.

We are Family! Celebrating the addition to their family legacy, eighth grader Caroline Haydel, science teacher Mrs. Joann Haydel (’91) and junior Katey Haydel enjoy refreshments in Alumnae Hall following the New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. – photo by Lindsey Foles

For over sixty years, Dominican has welcomed new students and carried on legacies through induction. Sister Dominic Savio, O.P., (’56) recalls the first induction to have taken place at St. Mary’s Dominican High School on the St. Charles Avenue campus for the class of 1957. The tradition of Big Sisters guiding their Little Sisters into the Dominican way of life has been around ever since.

During the next five years, the class of 2024 will be on their journey, preparing to help the class of 2029 on theirs.

  • Lindsey Foles