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A group of young women, some wearing white shirts and plaid skirts, others in colorful dresses, stand together in a crowded school hallway.
A group of young women, some wearing formal dresses and others in casual attire, are gathered together in what appears to be a social event or celebration.
A group of young women, some wearing white blouses and others in plaid skirts, stand together in what appears to be a school hallway or similar setting.
A group of young women in casual dresses and skirts stand together in front of a red curtain backdrop, with a plaque visible on the wall behind them.
A woman in a blue blouse stands at a podium on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman in a colorful patterned dress stands behind a podium, speaking into a microphone with a focused expression.
An elderly woman with white hair stands at a podium, wearing a green dress and speaking into a microphone against a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman with long, curly hair is standing at a podium on a stage with a red curtain backdrop, appearing to be giving a speech or presentation.
A young woman with long blonde hair is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
A woman in a green dress stands at a podium on a stage with a red curtain backdrop, addressing an audience.
A woman in a pink dress stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman with long hair is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman with long dark hair is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a red curtain backdrop.
A person with curly dark hair stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman with long brown hair is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
The image shows a group of young women standing in front of a red curtain, with a large candelabra in the foreground.
The image shows a group of young women on a stage, with one woman in the foreground adjusting the lighting equipment while the others stand behind her.
A young woman stands in the foreground, holding a microphone and appearing to perform on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman with curly blonde hair stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a red curtain backdrop.
A young woman in a patterned blouse stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
The image shows a group of young women standing in front of a red curtain, some wearing casual clothing and others in skirts and dresses, creating a visually appealing scene.
The image shows a woman with curly dark hair wearing a pink and white floral dress, standing in front of a red curtain backdrop and a decorative candelabra.
A young woman with long blonde hair stands in front of a red curtain, holding a lit candle in her hand.
A young woman in a white dress stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a backdrop of red curtains.
A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a floral dress, stands among a group of people in a crowded indoor setting.
A group of young women, some with blonde hair and others with dark hair, are gathered together and appear to be engaged in conversation.
A group of young women, some wearing floral dresses and others in plaid skirts, stand together in what appears to be a school or campus setting.
The image shows a group of young women standing behind a podium on a stage, with a red curtain backdrop and an American flag visible in the background.
A young woman with long, wavy hair is standing at a podium on a stage, speaking into a microphone in front of a red curtain backdrop.
A group of young women in school uniforms, some with long hair and others with shorter styles, are gathered together and engaged in conversation.
A woman with curly hair stands at a podium on a stage, with a red curtain backdrop and decorative lighting fixtures visible.
A group of smiling young women in casual, colorful outfits stand together in what appears to be a school or university setting, with other students visible in the background.
A group of young women, some smiling and others laughing, gathered together in what appears to be a social setting, with a colorful and lively background.
A group of young women, some wearing white blouses and plaid skirts, others in colorful dresses, stand together in what appears to be a school or event setting, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A group of young women, some wearing white shirts and others in casual attire, are gathered together in what appears to be a crowded indoor setting with people in the background.
A group of young women, some wearing colorful dresses and others in school uniforms, are gathered together in what appears to be a school or event setting.
A group of young women in casual attire, smiling and posing together in what appears to be a school or event setting, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A group of five young women, dressed in a mix of white and plaid skirts, stand together in front of a fenced area with trees and buildings in the background.
A group of smiling young women, dressed in casual attire, stand together in what appears to be a school or event setting with a bright, open space and decorative elements in the background.
A group of young people, mostly women, are gathered together in a bright, open space with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams.
A group of young women in casual summer dresses and skirts stand together in what appears to be a church or community hall, with a stage and curtains visible in the background.
A group of young women, dressed in colorful outfits, are standing together in what appears to be a school hallway or gymnasium.
Four young women in casual summer dresses and skirts are standing together, smiling and posing for the camera in what appears to be a school or community setting with other people visible in the background.
A group of young women, likely students, are standing together in what appears to be a school hallway or locker area, with lockers and other school-related items visible in the background.
A group of young women in school uniforms, including white blouses and plaid skirts, stand together in what appears to be a school setting, with a red curtain visible in the background.
Five young women, dressed in a variety of colorful and patterned outfits, are standing together in what appears to be a school hallway or gymnasium setting, with lockers and other school-related items visible in the background.
A group of five young women, dressed in a variety of colorful outfits, are standing together and smiling at the camera in what appears to be a performance or event setting, with a red curtain visible in the background.
A group of five young women, dressed in a variety of colorful and stylish outfits, are standing together and smiling in what appears to be a school or event setting with people in the background.
A group of young women in various stylish outfits stand together in front of a red curtain backdrop, creating a vibrant and visually appealing scene.
A group of five young women, dressed in various styles of casual clothing, stand together in what appears to be a school or community setting with a tiled wall background.
Seniors, Freshmen Gather for Candlelight Ceremony

St. Joseph’s Academy seniors, freshmen and their families gathered in the Activity Center on October 6 to celebrate the traditional Candlelight Ceremony. Part of SJA’s Big Sis/Little Sis program, the evening ceremony symbolizes the passing of Academy traditions from senior big sisters to their freshmen little sisters.

Principal Stacia Andricain welcomed the large gathering to one of the Academy’s most treasured traditions. She said the event serves to welcome freshmen as the newest members of the SJA community and gives the seniors the responsibility of serving as leaders and mentors. “The Candlelight Ceremony enables us to celebrate the relationship between the freshman and senior classes,” she said. “This ceremony marks the beginning of new-found relationships that will last a lifetime.” 

Senior Jenna Braud, student body president, said the Candlelight Ceremony reminds the Academy community of its loyalty to the values of sanctity, joy and action. She said that being part of the Big Sis/Lil Sis program, which dates back to 1910, is humbling and exciting. “As seniors, we have been given the important and valued responsibility of helping our freshmen little sisters grow in the mission of SJA: faith development in the Catholic tradition, academic excellence and personal growth,” she said. “We have embraced the call to be young women for others and to model this virtue for our little sisters.” 

SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69 said the special ceremony serves as the official welcome to the freshman class by the seniors. “This year’s senior class of 2026 is happy to join in the SJA tradition of passing ‘the light’ to the Academy freshman class,” she said. “As we celebrate the ideals which all Academy students and alumnae are called to uphold, we are mindful of the traditions we hold so dear.” 

Hattie Boone, senior class president, gave the keynote address. She reflected on the importance of the classes coming together to pass on the traditions and spirit of SJA. “We have been blessed with the opportunity to grow in our faith and knowledge,” she said. “Through God’s love and guidance, we have felt the sanctity of hope and power of prayer. We have shared in moments of joy, both great and small. Let us not take for granted the simple pleasures in our lives. These are the moments that get us through a school day or simply put a smile on our faces. Tonight, we take the action of passing on the traditions and wisdom we share. Spread your knowledge and love to your little sisters and the world.” 

Senior Lily Ruth Hyde led the gathering in prayer. Senior Madison Word reflected on sanctity and the integral role it plays in the lives of Academy students.

Senior Camille Masterson read from the gospel of Matthew, and senior Louisa deBlieux read from the gospel according to John. Seniors Jane Templet and Gretchen Payne led the prayers of the faithful, and senior Adeline Bonner offered a prayer. 

Seniors Lizzie Williams and Lucy Roussel explained the symbolism of the lighting of the candles and the passing of the flame. Senior Greysen Millet led her classmates in the senior pledge then directed them to share their light with their freshmen little sisters. Freshmen Brynlee Aicklen, Julia Black and Blayke Flint led her classmates in the freshman pledge. 

The lighting of the candles was led by seniors Ruthie Jumonville, Hattie Boone and Mary Elizabeth Macdonell; and freshmen Zoe Schaeffer, Lola Rice and Miriam Lemann.

The evening ended with the singing of the Alma Mater, led by senior Kira Woodroffe. 

Danielle Laird directed the sophomore and junior members of the SJA Choir. She also served as pianist.

Coordinating the evening’s activities were Aimee Cronan ’96 and Stephanie Faucette ’05. 
 

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