Ring Dinner

Photo by Lola Mestas

On Oct. 24, the Class of 2027 received their onyx rings  at the ceremonial Ring Dinner. The dinner was h

eld at the Fairview, and was themed around “Dark Academia.” The venue was decorated with candles, pearls and soft lights that created an elegant environment for the long anticipated Ceremony.

This year’s Ring Dinner tri-chairs were Kendall Zinger, Jolie Samples, and Emily Parker, ‘27. Zinger explained that she ran for Ring Dinner tri-chair due to her passion for event planning. She has been planning Meredith events, such as the Fire and Water dinner and Tea for Two, for her entire college career. “Coming into Meredith[,] I knew that I wanted to be involved in the campus, but I wasn’t sure in what ways,” Zinger said. “When they gave me the position for Fire and Water[,] I was nervous, but I fell in love with it.” Samples shared a similar experience, and told herself that she “had to get out of [her] shell and grow,” and alongside Zinger, who chaired Fire and Water and Tea for Two. “Taking on such leadership takes a lot of willpower, and I never regret it for a second,” Samples commented.

Zinger shared that her favorite part of the planning process was decorating the venue, but that along the way, she was nervous about her ability to promote the event. “Because [Ring Dinner] is a ticketed event, attendance has been steadily declining over the years,” she explained. Fortunately for Zinger, though, “the nervousness was all in [her] head because [they] reached a whopping 220 attendees!” Samples spoke of her pride in event planning for the Class of 2027’s yearly traditions. “I feel very honored to have planned alongside the other co-chairs for these rather traditions… especially Ring Dinner, as it’s a very important event for everyone on Meredith’s campus,” she said.

“Receiving your onyx during your junior year… is a truly memorable event—identifying yourself as a member of Meredith’s community,” said Samples. “The receival of one's onyx ring can be found to be emotional, but also reflective; being able to look back on who you were before attending Meredith College, and looking forward to who you will be as you carry on the unity and willpower of Meredith's kinship.” Zinger’s experience was a bit different though. “Through my years here, I was always [somewhat] excited for the onyx, [but] I never thought it was a big deal,” Zinger explained. “But now that I am here in the moment, it almost feels unreal. The symbolism is beautiful, and the connection that we have at Meredith through the onyx is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2027 on their milestone!

By Lola Mestas, Associate Editor