Ring committees proceed with planning process for Junior Weekend

By Elysha Nelson
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

A softball game, a ceremony, a ball and a hockey arena filled with loud music a thousand screaming college students. Sound like fun?

These are some of the events that are being planned for this year's Junior Weekend, according to Matthew Dempsey, 21, a junior communications major from Salem, Mass., who is chairman of this year's Junior Weekend Committee.

"One of the things the junior weekend committee wanted to do was get a big-name band on campus," Dempsey said. "We took a couple of surveys, and more than likely we'll be booking Nickelback for a Thursday night concert in Kreitzburg Arena on April 18th."

According to Dempsey, the committee plans to stick with most of the traditions of past junior ring weekends this year but will add the concert and possibly move the ball from Fri. night to Sat. night.

"We are trying to build upon the success of last year's junior weekend," Dempsey said. "I will leave it to the ring committees to preserve the integrity of the ceremonies, as I understand there to be various traditions within them."

The traditions that come with both the ring ceremonies and the weekend itself are very important to students, according to Maggie Denison, 20, a junior communications major from Hopewell Junction, NY.

"Junior ring means a lot to me," Denison said. "It is a time to be with friends and rook buddies and to recall all the memories we have had thus far. Plus it's about getting a big piece of gold to remind you of all the hardships, good times, and the hard work we have put in while here for three years."

To Dempsey, the ring itself tells more about a person than just where he went to school.

"The Norwich class ring is pretty recognizable," Dempsey said. "People who know of Norwich know that there is a lot more than just an academic record in those who wear it. It shows a dedication to honor and a desire to excel."

Although Dempsey said that the committee knows what events will take place during junior weekend, he added that they have not yet decided on which night the ball will be.

"The ball will be held either after the ceremonies on Friday or on Saturday night," Dempsey said. "The early consensus seems to be leaning towards Friday night."

Dempsey said that both the corps' and civilian students' ring ceremonies will happen on Friday night, the 19th of April. The annual Balls and Bats softball tournament will take place, as per tradition, on Sunday.

Another thing that has not yet been decided on is prices, according to Dempsey.

"Part of the reason is that we aren't sure exactly what we want to do with the ball - if there will be a dinner, for instance," Dempsey said. "We are working out a package deal for those who are interested in attending both the concert and the ball, which will be a discount on buying each separately."

Even though there will be some changes this year, when it comes down to it, tradition is what matters most, according to Dempsey.

"Traditions are important, because we need to keep the past alive in order to learn from it - both in success, as well as failure," Dempsey said. "There is a common bond between many generations of graduates, which is symbolized in the ring."

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