Seventy-two members of the Class of 2018 took the oath to pledge their lifelong loyalty to their alma mater and to become members of the Alumnae Association and join the sisterhood of more than 10,000 living Saint Mary's alumnae, Monday, April 23, at the annual Welcome to the Alumnae Association Dinner for the graduating class in Smedes-Emory Parlor.
The alumnae oath was administered by Alumnae Association Co-Chair Diane Gupton Becton '77HS. Hallie Sessoms Kennedy '02 delivered an eloquent keynote speech, touching on all of the important aspects of the Saint Mary's experience, tradition, legacy, and what it means to wear the ring.
Alumnae Director Margaret McGlohon '81C and Development Office Assistant Chelsea Ward '09 offered special remarks. Registrar and Senior Class Advisor Weldon Jackson Byrtus '92C offered the blessing.
The class doll committee presented to the school the official Class of 2018 doll, which was dressed in denim overalls to represent The Echo senior singing group tradition at Saint Mary's. The doll, which will be added to the school's class doll collection, is named Ann Marie Byrtus in honor of the Class of 2018 advisors Weldon Jackson Byrtus '92C and Ann Marie Davis. Committee members – Elena Bloebaum '18, Grace Dohner '18, Margaret Fountain '18, Savannah Johnson '18, and Lauren McClaskey '18 – told Ann Marie's Saint Mary's story, including a litany of her activities including sports, Orchesis, playing the lead in the school plays, singing in The Echo and Chorale, academics, and much more.
A group of alumnae including Weldon Jackson Byrtus '92C, Hallie Sessoms Kennedy '02, Emma Carol Lewis '09, Margaret McGlohon '81C, Emily Smith '01, Mary Virginia Swain '77C, and Chelsea Ward '09, presented a skit highlighting 176 years at Saint Mary's.
Alumnae staff members, class advisors, Head of School Brendan O'Shea, and development office staff were on hand to participate in this special celebration of the outstanding graduating class.
As we welcome hundreds of alumnae from classes ending in three and eight back to campus Friday for Reunion Weekend 2018, we begin to look forward five years when the Class of 2018 will return for its first alumnae reunion.
Congratulations, Class of 2018! Saint Mary's newest alumnae!
