Alexandra Uri:

The great lyricist Beyoncé Knowles once said, “If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it.” I agree with Beyoncé on most things, but especially on her thoughts on rings. If you liked your time at Trinity and want a class ring and can afford it, then by all means, go for it.

One of the main reasons I decided to get a class ring was because I’ve actually really enjoyed my time at Trinity. The university has provided me with so many wonderful experiences and friendships. Through Greek life, classes and the Trinitonian I have met and worked with so many wonderful people.

To me, getting a class ring is a physical way to keep those memories with me. Not only does it signify reaching a milestone of credit hours, it signifies the hours I’ve put into things I’m passionate outside of class. Instead of taking a trinket from my time as a Chi Beta, my time working for the Trinitonian, my time studying abroad in The Hague and Cuba and the conversations I’ve had with my professors and classmates, I decided to just get a class ring. I know that whenever I look at it I’ll be able to think about my time at Trinity.

I understand that a class ring isn’t for everyone. However, for me it’s a way to take Trinity, and all that it means to me, with me no matter where I go.

Jeffrey Sullivan:

I left my high school without a class ring, and I’m going to graduate in May without one from Trinity. The idea of encapsulating four years of experience and character formation in, at the cheapest, a Balfour Premium Silver metal band is compelling without being convincing. I know some students who accept class rings because of the pride they have in their university and the energy they invested into it. Putting effort into course work, extracurriculars, sports teams or research all increase the glimmer of Trinity’s luster. Moreover, a collection of valuable memories are made from those sorts of contributions.

I cherish trinkets I’ve picked up throughout my time as a Trinity student. Most of mine are sitting on the bookshelf I have in my bedroom. One is a framed picture I received after working with Dr. Peter O’Brien and a group of visiting German Fulbright students. Some others are tickets, museum brochures and other scraps of paper I collected studying abroad in Strasbourg. Most of those get turned into bookmarks. Each scattered item has a glimpse of a memory whose nuance I may not remember without them.

I don’t think a glitzy ring would bring back any fond memories or worthwhile nostalgia. The process of buying a ring is simple. Should I ever want one, at this point, I can find one in Balfour’s online catalogue. It would take a few minutes to order, a few days for shipping and a lifetime to lay around to remind me of the time that I went shopping. Or when my parents did.