Junior Ring Week gets students pumped for seniority

By GABRIELLE KUHN

Have you cheered on the Hulk as he tore through buildings like they were made of paper?  Have you transformed into a rock star under hypnosis?  Have you been used as target practice for glowing, extraterrestrial dodge balls?  If you’ve experienced these strange events all in one week, it’s okay – you’re just a junior.

The University of Mary Washington’s annual Junior Ring Week celebration kicked off on Monday, March 18. The week was filled with themed “out-of-this-world” events that led up to Saturday’s Ring Ceremony, during which the juniors received their class rings.

During the week, the junior class was treated to activities such as a “drive-in movie” showing of “The Avengers,” a hypnotist show featuring Michael C. Anthony and a glow-in-the-dark dodgeball game.  Juniors were also given the chance to team up in a scavenger hunt that promised a $400 prize. Throughout the week, Class Council also handed out free t-shirts and cups to juniors, featuring “Class of 2014” logos.

While “drive-in movies” have been shown on Ball Circle in past years, this year’s movie showing was moved to the Great Hall. According to Ethan Lane, Class Council’s freshman class president, the event was moved due to cold weather and rain. Fresh popcorn was served to students as they rooted for their favorite superheroes.

Some juniors, however, did not feel the excitement.

“As juniors, we haven’t really done anything yet,” said junior psychology major Randi Bryan. “I just don’t exactly know what we’re celebrating.”

Junior Ring Week is sponsored by UMW’s Class Council. Class Council is also responsible for organizing school and community events like Devil-Goat Day, Halloweens and Spring Formal.

“We do all the traditional events,” junior Class Council Treasurer Peyton Kremer explained.
According to Kremer, Junior Ring Week activities were planned well in advance.  “We had all the rooms booked by October last year,” she said. “We do everything ahead of time.”

While attendance may have been low at some activities, the Ring Ceremony got students excited about their upcoming senior year.
Junior computer science major Allie Cropp didn’t attend the activities during the week, but she did attend the Ring Ceremony on Saturday.

“It was a great experience, and the whole class was very excited,” said Cropp. “I talked to people I haven’t even seen since freshman year. It got me excited to graduate.”