The third annual Blue Blazer Ceremony was held on May 29th in the St. Mary of the Assumption Chapel at Saint Ignatius High School. The ceremony is fast becoming a notable tradition and rite of passage for the alumni of The Welsh Academy. There is something special about being part of an event that brings so many parts of the apostolate of Saint Ignatius High School together because of the mission of our work. At the ceremony, the young men shed their Welsh Academy sweater and replace it with a blue blazer.
On this day we see the hard work of the last three years come together with Welsh Academy faculty and staff, and high school team members. Incoming sixth and seventh graders are also present with their families to celebrate, in a spiritual and physical way, the leaving behind of middle school and stepping into high school.
“The blue blazer every Saint Ignatius student wears symbolizes that he is part of the larger community made up of schoolmates from today, alumni of the past, and students of the future. Watching a Welsh Academy alumnus removing the symbol of his middle school years and donning on the symbol of his future surrounded by family, teachers, mentors and God, leaves a remarkable impression upon all who are part of the ceremony. Some say they even see the boy stand a bit taller with pride after he ‘dons’ the blue blazer. I leave this ceremony filled with joy, I have to believe that Fr. Welsh must be smiling with us," comments Mary Ann Vogel, Ed.D., Founding Principal of the Welsh Academy.
Neil McCarthy ’71 former member of the Board of Regents, sees the Blue Blazer Ceremony as a confidence builder for these young men. “Being an incoming freshman is a challenge for anyone on any given day, and we want to do what we can to help them. We want these young men to feel loved and supported,” he explains. McCarthy has been a supporter of the Welsh Academy from the beginning and feels strongly that the Blue Blazer Ceremony is one of the many steps to help these young Wildcats on their path to success. He works closely with Welsh Academy Executive Administrative Assistant Maggie Pena to make sure each student that matriculates to Saint Ignatius receives his blue blazer, ready to join the ranks of Saint Ignatius Men Forever.
This story was originally printed in the Saint Ignatius Magazine, 2023-24 Advancement Review issue.