Immaculate Heart Celebrates the Legacy of the Rings
Members of Immaculate Heart High School’s Class of 2025 celebrate after receiving their class rings and official status as upperclasswomen. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
Immaculate Heart High School capped its celebration of Catholic Schools Week last week by honoring members of the Junior Class as they received their class rings – a time-honored tradition that also paid tribute to the school’s legacy.
The Junior Liturgy & Ring Ceremony on Friday, February 2, brought students and faculty together with families and alumnae for the Class of 2025. The juniors also planned and participated in the Mass under the guidance of class officers and moderator Stacie Miller, an alumna of the Class of 1997. Students selected readings, songs and prayers built around the liturgy theme “Flourishing Forward.”
The Junior Liturgy & Ring Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 2, capped Immaculate Heart High School’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
During the Mass, celebrant Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J., a staff psychologist at Homeboy Industries of Los Angeles and also the uncle of an Immaculate Heart graduate, addressed the theme and the significance of the class ring. “This ring represents the love you’ve experienced at Immaculate Heart, and the ring now goes with you wherever you go,” Buckley said. He encouraged the juniors to look into their hearts and “change the world into a flourishing community.”
Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J., a staff psychologist for Homeboy Industries of Los Angeles and the uncle of an Immaculate Heart graduate, celebrated the Junior Ring Liturgy. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
An alumna of the Class of 1969, Immaculate Heart President Maureen Diekmann said she was honored to address the audience as a representative of more than 11,000 Immaculate Heart alumnae. “This is so fitting on the last day of Catholic Schools Week when we honor our alumnae and our school’s legacy – which continues with you!” she told the juniors.
Immaculate Heart juniors planned the special Mass and participated in different roles, including Frances Berg as a candle bearer. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
Diekmann described details of the class ring which features a distinctive heart at its center. It has served as the school’s emblem since its founding in 1906 by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She then turned to the Class of 2025 seated before her and said, “My dear juniors, today the privilege of wearing this symbol becomes yours. Wear your ring with pride, remember the rich history and strong values it represents.”
Immaculate Heart’s ring depicts a flame rising from a heart that is pierced by a sword and entwined by roses – reflecting the suffering, strength and love of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the school’s patroness. The emblem was established by the school’s founders, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
Other alumnae, including siblings, mothers and aunts, stood and raised their hands in unison as High School Principal Naemah Morris, Class of 1995, blessed the rings. As the juniors were called forward to receive their special bands, they were each presented with a rose and a congratulatory letter from the senior class. Afterward, students showed off their rings and posed for pictures with classmates as well as with IH alums – all wearing their Immaculate Heart class rings!
High School Principal Naemah Morris, Class of 1995, prepares to present the class rings with President Maureen Diekmann as the juniors are called by name. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
Immaculate Heart President Maureen Diekmann, an alumna of the Class of 1969, shows off her class ring to students. Credit: Heidi Fendrich
About Immaculate Heart
Founded in 1906, Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School educates and empowers young women in sixth through 12th grades. The school is located in Los Angeles near Griffith Park at 5515 Franklin Avenue. Immaculate Heart has a long and distinguished history, with more than 11,000 graduates. Today’s student body of more than 600 young women is both geographically and ethnically diverse, drawing on students from throughout Los Angeles County. Last year, virtually 100 percent of Immaculate Heart graduates matriculated to college, including the most prestigious schools in the country. Learn more at immaculateheart.org.
