On December 3rd, StFX Day, a day touched by magic, senior class co-president Ally Hancock tried to sum up how members of the Class of 2021 are feeling, to finally receive their much-coveted X-Rings.
“There’s poetry behind something that unites us all and carries so much responsibility…We feel so much affinity to this place… that is why we wear this ring,” Ms. Hancock said as she and fellow senior class president Sean De van der Schueren served as emcees for this year’s ceremony, on a day where 870 students received their X-Rings. Most donned black robes and individually received their rings in several rooms across campus earlier in the day.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony went virtual—but it held the personal touch that is StFX’s hallmark.
“Thanks Mom and Dad!” “I love you!” were just two of the signs flashed for the cameras in the morning as senior students picked up their X-Rings in one of four rooms set up in Mulroney Hall, Barrick Auditorium, Keating Centre Conference Rooms, and Bloomfield Council Chambers.
Gown-wearing students, following safety protocols, proceeded individually into each room where they picked up their X-Ring from a table where a gold cloth over a black one formed an 'X'. A StFX staff member was on hand for a personal greeting and many students turned to the cameras to wave, flash a thumbs-up, and speak to the camera as proud family and friends watched. Viewers were also able to join live in a chat feature.
SO MUCH MEANING
“The ring itself carries so much meaning,” Ms. Hancock said as a small, socially distanced stage party of students, faculty and staff gathered in the MacKay Room, Bloomfield Centre for an in-person ceremony, joined online by fellow Class of 2021 members as well as family and friends tuning in from Cape Breton to Columbia, from England to Ecuador.
“The fact we’re still able to achieve this moment is worth noting,” Ms. Hancock said as she spoke about the special community at StFX that made this possible.
“I can’t express how much this means to me,” Mr. De van der Schueren said as he noted he is the first in his family to attend StFX, the first to wear the X-Ring.
StFX, he says, felt like home since the first day he stepped on campus.
“We have only one semester left here, and we don’t know what it will look like. Cherish every last moment we have here. Take it in,” he said.
“We will be forever bonded by this ring.”
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin, who became university president in July, noted how he too had anticipated attending his first X-Ring ceremony, and the immense disappointment of all when the ceremony had to transition from face-to-face to virtual.
“Never forget the journey and the experiences,” he told the senior students.
The X-Ring is not a graduation ring, he said. “It’s a proud remembrance of a transformational experience that’s unique to StFX.”
It connects its wearers not only to their peers, but to a generation of graduates and a tradition of leadership and social justice.
By going virtual on this special day, you have protected this community, he told students, noting that is a true Xaverian response.
Guest speaker, the Hon. Frank McKenna ’70, Deputy Chair of TD Securities and former New Brunswick premier and former ambassador to the U.S., spoke to the graduating class via Zoom. “This is my 50th anniversary since graduation and I can still remember my first day on campus. I fell in love with StFX that day and I can say my passion for StFX has never waned. I’ve worn this ring for 50 years.”
Mr. McKenna spoke about the significance of the ring and his own family connection (he met his wife Julie at StFX, all three of their children attended StFX, all meeting their spouses on campus, and grandson Jay received his X-Ring during the ceremony). He spoke too that even in these dark and chaotic times, there is reason for optimism and hope.
Alexia Tedesco ’09 brought greetings on behalf of the StFX Alumni Association, reminding the students they have an entire community behind them, all here to support and encourage them.
The X-Ring, she said, is so much more than you can fathom at the moment. It represents your achievements and symbolizes to the rest of the world what a Xaverian is. “It’s all the memories and joys you’ll remember,” she said. “You are part of something much bigger.”
HONORARY X-RING PRESENTED
This year’s honorary X-Ring, always a much-guarded secret, was awarded to education professor Dr. Joanne Tompkins who for over two decades has cared deeply about StFX students. Dr. Tompkins was described as a transformative leader and professor, as profoundly kind, and fiercely committed to social justice, working tirelessly to bring about equity, inclusion and diversity.
During the ceremony, Travis Grace gave an explanation of the StFX motto and Katelyn Libbus read from the writings of Dr. Moses Coady. Thirteen students proceeded to light 13 candles in the shape of an ‘X’ as Miranda March provided music. Candle bearers included Manuel Suarez Delgado, Kielan Pilgrim, Nikita Savoury, Rachell Alcivar, Chelsea Knuth, Alyzandra Torreon, Kyra Tessier, Jack Irvin, Winter Muise, Quinn Correll, Eriq Proctor, Madison Burke, and Dylan Meraw.
Senior student Sanjidha Ganeshan introduced the guest speaker, while classmate Marc Sgro provided the response, thanking Mr. McKenna for his address. Patti-Anne Tracey offered words of welcome, and Sarah Elliott, President of the Students’ Union, led all in the Xaverian Commitment.
University Chaplain Laurel McIntyre ’11 gave the invocation, while graduating student Jay McKenna, faculty representative Dr. Joanne Tompkins and staff representative Janice Landry participated in the ceremonial presentation of X-Rings.
On the ceremony, on the moment, Ms. Hancock summed up: “The magic I feel right now surpasses what I envisioned.”
