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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  A ritual of ribbons

by Michelle Samartino, Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published August 21, 2009

Photo by Michelle Sammartino Seventh-grader Ian Craftt passes the ribbon to eighth-grader Adriell Desero at Immaculate Conception Church in Ira Township, representing the passing of leadership.

Ira Township - Instead of passing the torch, there is a special significance to passing a ribbon between the seventh- and eighth-grade students at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Ira Township.

A ribbon Mass was held in May representing the transition of leadership between the students at the St. Clair County school. Students from the seventh- and eighth-grade classes each read an essay to offer advice to each other and to thank them for their leadership.

Jarred Smith, a seventh-grader in May, has another year left to make the most of his time at Immaculate Conception. "I really like the small classes so that you get to know they're teaching you."

The ribbon Mass was especially meaningful to him. He says the thought of ever becoming an eighth-grader seemed so far away, but now he feels he's "arrived." "It's been so many years and now it's here ... and now we're saying good-bye" to the former eighth-graders.

Seventh-grader Michael DesMadryl says it is a big step toward "taking over" the school this fall. "I feel I'm already prepared," he says, especially with his involvement in basketball, football, track and the National Junior Honor Society.

He says being in a small class allows him to get to know everyone, and will be saddened once he fully realizes that his eighth-grade friends who will be in high school won't be standing next to him in the hallways.

It was also sad for his friend, George Cornwell: "They're leaving us. I'm sad because I had a lot of friends in that class."

His friend, Brandon Rhein, agrees and says he wants to use his last year left at Immaculate Conception to learn more about his "faith and heaven and eternal life."

But for eighth-grader Samantha Bynum, leaving Immaculate Conception for Cardinal Mooney High School in Marine City hasn't quite hit her yet. "I love it here ... I'll be pretty sad," she says. "Being here has been like having another family. The classes are small and this has been my family since the third grade."

Her faith life has grown as a result of her education at Immaculate Conception, she says. "I've learned a lot about myself and my faith."

Her friend, Katherine Knoche, who will be attending Regina High School this fall, agrees. "I still plan to stay in touch with everyone. I am the person I am today because of Immaculate Conception."

Deion Kathawa says he has become a stronger person because of his education. "I feel I can do anything," he says. "I'm ready for any challenge. It's because of the one-on-one with the teachers that I'll miss the most. It's been great."

The time has flown by for fellow eighth-grader Trevor Kare, he says. He remembers being a seventh-grader during the ribbon Mass and thought he had enough time to finish everything he wanted to as an eighth-grader. "I thought I had so much time, but it wasn't really that much at all," he recalls. "It went by fast."

Because there were only 22 eighth-graders in their eighth-grade class, all agree that it will be easier to stay in touch with one another.

Seventh-grade teacher Ann DuBois will miss them terribly, she says. "The seventh-graders do this every year and they do put a lot of effort in their collaboration with the essay that they read to the eighth grade."

It's a time of reflection for them, she says. "They realize how fast the time flies," she says. "And they take their faith life to heart. They put their spirituality in their essay and what it means to them," noting part of the essay included, "We know that your years here at IC and following God will show you the right path."

Kathy Steele, principal, says she loves it at Immaculate Conception, which has an enrollment of more than 200. She's been there for seven years and "I keep coming back," she says and laughs. "This is a strong family community and they know they will take their strong faith with them wherever they go, even though they may go in separate directions.

"I love it here," Steele says. "It's a privilege for me to work here."

Dubois agrees. "There's a cohesiveness and they stick together. They play hard, work hard and pray hard," she says "I'm proud of my students."

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