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.
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.
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
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