Candlelighting Ceremony Marks Transition of Upper School Leadership

One of St. Margaret’s most beautiful and beloved traditions took place on Friday, as the Class of 2026 ceremoniously passed the torch of leadership to the junior class during Candlelighting, which took place in the Chapel.

 

An otherwise darkened Chapel was illuminated as each member of the senior class lit a candle of a junior, symbolically passing leadership on during the Class of 2026’s final day on campus.

 

“Candles illuminate a room, transforming it with an ethereal beauty that can be seen and felt,” Upper School Principal Amy Roberts told the students. “A candle doesn't exist solely for itself; its purpose is to transform a place, in this case, our Chapel. We too have the power to transform places when we step outside of ourselves and serve others.

 

“Candles can also light other candles without losing their own flames, and leadership is about spreading light to others.”

 

The ceremony included remarks by outgoing ASB president Jack Klausner, who continued the cherished tradition by lighting the candle of incoming ASB president Brayden Brisbois. Each of the 115 students in the Class of 2026 followed, lighting the candle of a student in the Class of 2027.

 

The ceremony also included beautiful musical performances, as senior Richard Feng played Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 18 Sienna Ganem performed the traditional candlelighting song “Go Light Your World” before the Class of 2026 extinguished their flames.

 

After Candlelighting, seniors enjoyed an afternoon with a BBQ lunch, time on the Lower School playground, and a countdown at the end of the school day for the traditional senior water balloon toss.