Passing of the Light: A Cherished Tradition

Passing of the Light is one of Villa’s most cherished traditions. During this inspiring ceremony, the eighth grade graduating class symbolically passes on the light of leadership of the school to the seventh grade class. During the ceremony, the graduates were inducted into the Alumnae Association and promised to remain faithful to the traditions and values that have become so much a part of their lives, and to continue to assume leadership and service roles within the family, the community, and the Church.

Alumna, Alianna Buck, ’12, spoke about her experience at noting that “the definition of a Villa lifer is not measured in years, but rather in the values and the lessons that stay with you.” Ali, along with other alumnae and sisters of the graduating class were invited back to welcome them into Villa’s Alumnae Association.

An annual tradition during Passing of the Light is the presentation of the Emily Koenig Award. Mr. and Mrs. Koenig were welcomed back to graciously honor a special seventh grader with a leadership scholarship in memory of their late daughter Emily. Emily Koenig was a seventh grader at Villa when she passed away suddenly after being exposed to a deadly strain of bacterial meningitis.  The selected student embodies their late daughter Emily’s spirit of kindness and inclusion and is nominated by her seventh grade peers. Congratulations to Makenna W. on being the recipient of this wonderful honor this year! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Koenig for their continued support of Villa Maria Academy and our students.

Thank you to all who contributed to making the day so special.