St. Andrew’s Episcopal School takes pride in honoring tradition, whether it’s the Baccalaureate service that takes place to celebrate graduating seniors, or the annual day-long Olympics competition to determine who the best grade really is. Of these sacred traditions, one that holds dear to the hearts of Seniors and Juniors, is the Passing of the Light ceremony. The Passing of the Light ceremony is a rite of passage for the Junior class. The Senior class passes lighted candles to the Junior peers, which symbolizes the increased responsibilities of being the oldest class on campus. The tradition recognizes that all seniors are leaders, not only the elected ones, and it is a metaphor for entrusting that student body leadership to the next Senior class. It serves as a reminder that the upcoming Junior class will shoulder as the future leaders of the school. 

The first Passing of the Light ceremony took place in 2008. It replaced the old tradition called Ring Day, where students received their class rings. However, students would only receive rings based on their popularity throughout their high school career. To keep an existing tradition alive for the upperclassmen, the St. Andrew’s community decided to continue this ceremony, just in a different way. This began to be replaced by the Passing of the Light ceremony so that everyone in the class would be included. 

This ceremony positively impacts the St. Andrew’s community because it marks the beginning of special services that culminate with graduation each year. It’s the first ceremony where Seniors start to fathom the thought of being in the real world as adults, while Juniors process the reality of being seniors very soon. 

This tradition holds special memories for many students and their families. Students in graduated classes have passed their lights to their siblings, cousins, or best friends. “My favorite part of Passing of the Light was being able to experience and spread a sense of community and belonging,” Class of ‘22 Alumni Zoe Hairston said. “During my Junior year, I was so happy to be chosen by my friend and track teammate, Simone McKinney.” The ceremony helps to serve as a reminder of all the bonds forged within the St. Andrew’s community. 

For the Class of ‘24, it is finally their time to pass their lights on to the Junior class. There are lots of friendships between the ‘24 Senior class and ‘25 Junior class. Juniors are eager to receive their candle lights from their Senior friends and await their final year at St. Andrew’s, while Seniors await their graduation day. This year’s ceremony holds bittersweet memories for some Seniors, as it reminds them of their younger selves but is also a time for them to leave their legacy for the future senior classes. “When I received my light my junior year, it felt like my turn to lead.” Class of ‘24 Senior Annabeth Thorne said. “Now that I’m finally passing my light on I hope it reminds the next senior class to appreciate everything in their last year.”