pu t. aJring 0 There were few moments in any girl's life more important than her engagement, and although many times this moment was only captured by the girl and her fiance, ring ceremonies gave women a chance to relive that special occasion with their club sisters circled around. "Club ring ceremonies are special because you get to celebrate with the girls in your club whom you love," senior Kelsie Wigginton said. "It is also nice because you get to tell your story to a lot of people at the same time. I think it has continued over the years because it is just an exciting way to share a part of your life with your sisters." In most clubs, the engagement was kept a secret until the night of the ceremony. When the entire club was assembled, they would form a circle and pass around the engagement ring on a lit candlestick. "For Iota Chi, the whole club stands in a circle in the Mclnteer Rotunda and sings 'Bind Us Together, Lord,' our club hymn," senior Caity Oliver said. According to Wigginton, Zeta Rho also sang their club hymn while the ring was being passed around. "The ring is passed around once so everyone can look at it," Wigginton said. "Then on the second time, the engaged girl blows out the candle. After a moment of hugs and celebration, we always pull up a chair so the girl can stand on top of it and tell the whole story to everyone." While ring ceremonies could be exciting and suspenseful for all club members, they were especially so for the brides-to-be. Oftentimes these women became engaged over a holiday from school and were unable to share their news with anyone until the night of the ceremony for fear of ruining the surprise. "My ring ceremony was at the beginning of Club Week, so it was very small," Wigginton said. "It was outside by the Benson fountain, and I was nervous because I think most people suspected it was mine. It was special, though, because my closest friends were there to celebrate with me. It was also exciting that I didn't have to keep it a secret anymore and could wear my ring in public!" Whether ceremonies were last-minute impromptu occasions or events planned far in advance, they were all cherished memories that girls carried with them for the rest of their lives. "It is very hard to keep the engagement a secret," Oliver said. "You want to tell all your friends, but you can only tell a few, or there would be no point in having a ring ceremony. It's worth the secret in the end." Sarah Eason 1-8 Ring Ceremonies Seniors Caity Oliver and Weston Vogl tell details of their proposal to fellow members of Iota Chi on Nov. 13 in the Mclnteer Rotunda. Oliver and Vogl planned to marry onjuly 28, 2012. Ashel Parsons After blowing out her candle on Nov. 28, senior Paige Walton celebrates her engagement to senior Kevin Barnett with senior Amanda Bower and other members of Chi Omega Pi. Traditionally, members of the club passed around the ring on a lit candle, unaware of the bride-to-be's identity until she blew out the flame. Ashe[ Parsons Junior BOX member Nick Parker gets tossed into the Benson fountain on Nov. 28 by fellow club members in celebration of his recent engagement. This was a tradition for many men's clubs to express their brotherhood and excitement for fellow members. Ashe[ Parsons
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