On March 1, St Rose of Lima eighth graders marked the 100-day countdown to their graduation in a decades-old tradition that started at lunch. The half-day event included activities to prepare the students for the next benchmark of their educational journey.

On one side of the Gathering Hall divider, the rest of the school enjoyed their normal lunchtime, while on the other side of the gym were three round tables full of St Rose eighth graders, alongside stations for pizza and cupcakes.

St Rose colors of red and white decorated the room, and students enjoyed their meal in class sweatshirts. The front of the hall was marked by gold “2023” balloons tethered below a congratulatory sign that included all the aspiring graduates’ names.

Graduation gowns hanging on the wall, in contrast, were white and blue.

According to their homeroom teacher, Tanya Cicarelli, the tradition includes capturing a group photograph of the students in their caps and gowns in front of St Rose of Lima Church after lunch. Superlatives were determined later in the day to add to the yearbook, and students penned thank-you letters to leave in the pews for their parents on the big day.

St Rose students will likely be going on to various private or public high schools after their time at St Rose draws to a close. Students related that they were feeling a range of emotions, which they seemed to agree upon.

“Nervous, excited, sad — a bunch of feelings,” eighth grader Amelia Guzy said regarding her next adventure in high school.

“I’m excited to go to high school, but I’m sad to leave my class,” said Jolie Malo.

“I’ll probably be nervous before the first day of high school, but that’s normal,” said Adrianna Kari.

Looking ahead, the next graduation event on the agenda is on June 1. Class Night is an awards dinner for families of the graduates with some special non-academic festivities included, according to Cicarelli.

“Dancing, DJ, dinner, desserts — all the good stuff,” she said.

The St Rose of Lima class of 2023 is set to graduate June 3.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.