School Traditions

 With a heritage spanning more than two centuries, Salem Academy prides itself on being an institution rich in tradition.

Each fall at OPENING CHAPEL, the official beginning of school, faculty and staff share personal messages and good wishes sent from alumnae. Alumnae attend and are recognized by the current students.

At SMOOSH CAKE BANQUET, a "birthday celebration" for the Academy, favors baked in birthday cake are said to predict the futures of the seniors.

Each student is chosen to be a member of either the Purple or Gold team at the ATHLETIC PICNIC held in the fall. Individual and team excellence in athletics are recognized at the athletic banquets in the fall, winter, and spring.

During PARENTS WEEKEND in the fall, students and their parents get a chance to catch up on news of the first weeks of school. Parents participate in a "mini-school," visiting the classes in which their daughters are enrolled. On Saturday, parents can meet individually with the faculty members who teach and advise their daughters.

SENIOR DAY, celebrated in the fall, begins with the RING BANQUET on Tuesday evening at which the seniors receive their class rings. On Wednesday, the seniors are entertained by the faculty and staff at a special breakfast, and the seniors sing their songs to the other students, faculty, and staff during an outdoor luncheon. The seniors also work in groups to teach workshops throughout the day to the underclassmen.

SENIOR VESPERS, a cherished Christmas event at the Academy, is a candlelight choral service during which seniors serve coffee and buns in the MORAVIAN LOVEFEAST tradition.

The spring of each year brings the eagerly awaited JUNIOR/SENIOR PROM; SENIOR/FACULTY BREAKFAST; and the PUBLICATIONS BANQUET, when publications -- yearbook, newspaper, and literary magazine -- are distributed and editors and photographers for the next year are announced.

FOUNDERS DAY celebrates the founding of the Academy and the convening of its first class of students by Elizabeth Oesterlein, the first teacher at Salem.

Academic and athletic awards are presented at the year-end RECOGNITION DAY PROGRAM. The traditional dinner, hosted by the Head of School, bids farewell to seniors the night before commencement.