School NewsApr 29, 2021

updated Nov 14, 2023

Traditions Updated

MHS rings and blazers carry ongoing meaning

Stories abound over the decades about Miss Hall’s alumnae, even members of the MHS community, recognizing each other thanks to their school rings.

Maya Creamer ’20 and her classmates wanted to increase those opportunities for future alums, so in 2019 she spearheaded an effort to design a new, more affordable MHS ring.

“We had been talking about ways to make things more financially available for everyone, and this seemed like a good way to do that,” explains Maya, who as Junior Class President and School Vice President helped lead the initiative.

When the Class of 2020 met during junior year to discuss logistics for blazer and ring orders, they homed in on the prices for rings.

“They were all beautiful, but they were not accessible to everyone,” Maya recalls. She and classmates brainstormed ideas and approached administrators with a proposal.

Once receiving the go-ahead, classmate Jingtong Zhang ’20 worked on the design while Class Treasurer Nancy Gao ’20 handled financial logistics.

After determining a palatable price range, Maya, Jingtong, and Nancy met with representatives from M. Edward Jewelers in Pittsfield to discuss design options. The students chose a sleek, simple sterling silver band engraved with the School’s motto, Meus Honor Stat — My Honor Stands. Since the Class of 2005 designed a new MHS ring, there had been three options, including one with the traditional Miss Hall’s seal with carved blue lapis or glass and the classic MHS signet with the old school crest.

Ring Ceremony

This year's Ring Ceremony was reimagined to accommodate life during a pandemic.

 

“We wanted something affordable, but we also wanted a beautiful ring that people would love,” says Maya. “A lot of students liked it, especially because of the simple design, and they liked that the ring still has a special meaning. Ring Dinner is so important, and for more students to have the opportunity to be with alumnae and friends and get a ring means a lot to me. I spent four years at Miss Hall’s, and I want to be able to look at my ring and remember my time at the School.”

So, alumnae: Be on the lookout for members of the classes of 2020 and 2021 and the newly designed MHS ring!

Lynelle Weaver

Attention Alumnae! MHS Rings: another way to give

Is your Miss Hall’s ring sitting unworn in your jewelry box? Why not donate it to a student? Or, if you’d prefer, contributions toward new Miss Hall’s rings are also welcome.

Starting at $135, MHS Ring Scholarships make it possible for rising Juniors who couldn’t otherwise afford a school ring to participate in this time-honored tradition.