The Belles
of Saint Mary's
900 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
May 1994
Graduation, More Than A Tradition
By Dee McCoy
Staff Writer
One of Saint Mary's outstanding
features is its grasp on tradition.
Even though change is inevitable.
Saint. Mary's has worked very hard
to maintain the qualities that make
it such a unique place. Most of the
events at Saint Mary's such as club
walks, recitals, classes, social
functions, as well as life in general
contain a large piece of the
school's history. Perhaps the most
traditional event at Saint Mary’s,
however, occurs only once (maybe
twice) in the life of a Saint Mary's
girl. That special event is, of
course, graduation.
The first Saint Mary’s
commencement was held in 1879.
"The most thrilling of public
occasions were those of
comtnehcenleiit wdek kt Saint
Mary's. When the concerts and
other entertainments drew
crowds." Commencement day was
a lot more serious, however, as
graduates in long white dresses
filed into Smedes Parlor to read
their senior essays. Afterwards,
the school proceeded to the chapel
to hear the honor roll and
distinctions read by Aldert
Smedes. Then, the main address
Was given, usually by the bishop of
hlorth Carolina. Next, the
graduates were given their
tiiplomas, tied with blue and white
ribbons. After each girl had
received her diploma, the
graduates knelt before the bishop
The
for the benediction. Following this
was a recessional hymn. Then, "It
was all over but the parting and the
tears and the love that we will
always have for our Alma Mater,"
wrote a 1895 graduate.
1906 was the last commencement
held in the parlor using the
decorated temporary platform.
The graduates remained the same
in their long white dresses. The
student marshals also dressed in
long white dresses, were
distinguished by their sashes. The
chief marshal wore a white sash,
and her assistants wore blue ones.
In 1925, it was announced at
rommencernent that the yearbook's
Saint Mary's graduating ciass of
name was being changed from the
Muse to the Stagecoach. An
authentic 1840's stagecoach was
parked in the grove to symbolize
the change.
There are still many events that
occur at commencement which are
symbolic even today. The newly
elected chief marshal still drops the
traditional handkerchief. In the
1970's a "new tradition" was added
by closing the front doors of
Smedes hall to signify the end of
another academic year, which is
done after the handkerchief is
dropped. The professors all line
up according to how long they
have been at Saint Mary's. The
1994
teachers who have worked here
longest are in the back of the line,
the newer teachers process in first.
Even though the commencement
exercises are held in front of
Smedes, and not in the Parlor as
they were over 1(X) years ago, the
graduation itself still contains most
of the same rituals as it did in
1879. The history and symbolism
play important roles in the
ceremony because commencement
is not only a day of excitement and
anticipation for the future that lies
ahead, but it is also a remembrance
and love for this place that the
graduates are leaving behind.
Jones drops the traditionai handkerchief atgradu
Lucy White and Stacey Smith lead the procession of eighty-eight