Part of being a bobcat is getting to enjoy the array of traditions that have been established over the years. There are many that date all the way back to 1963, some of which have evolved and now form part of our yearly celebrations. 

“I think that even though our Lourdes’ traditions have changed and we don’t do exactly the same thing our moms did when they came here, they’re still so important because they unite us,” junior Sylvia Mendiola said. “Personally, they make me feel closer to my mom even though she graduated years ago, and I think that’s the real real power that traditions hold.”  

Through the school’s example it is visible that traditions change alongside the community and the environment in which they take place. This explains why so many of the school’s traditions have gradually changed.

One of these traditions is known as the “turning of the ring,” which consisted of students asking other people in their grade to rotate their ring once until the number of their graduating year was reached. For example, the class of 2023 would have rotated their ring 23 times. Originally, the girls would keep track of who rotated their rings and of what number belonged to them in a notebook.

“The turning of the ring sounds interesting, but I didn’t have that when I was in Lourdes and I was class of 2007,” Student activities director and math teacher Ms. Ana Figueras said. “However, what we did do, which was super important, was that when we got our rings at Junior Ring mass we had to place the L in the rings facing ourselves, but once we graduated we turned it and placed the ring so that the L faced out, as a symbol that we were going out into the world and taking a little piece of Lourdes with us.” 

Another tradition that changed alongside the world was the use of agendas. All the way up to the 2000s bobcats were not seen running around the halls clutching onto their iPads, but rather their decorated, journal-like agendas. Not only did students spend weeks decorating their agendas, but in these they would keep track of who rotated their ring and write each other’s birthdays.  

“A Lourdes girl agenda was something else, it was the thing,” Admissions Director Mrs. Diana Ricart said. “You had to have one, they were a Lourdes girl necessity. I’m sure they’re still a lot of alumni that kept theirs because they were truly just so nice and beautiful.” 

Lastly and surprisingly, one of the most beloved school traditions stemmed from a talent show, in which every grade participated in, however slowly it evolved into what Senior Skit is today.

“My favorite OLLA tradition is probably Senior Skit,” junior Isabella Astudillo said. “I look forward to it every year because it’s just hilarious and I can’t wait to be a part of it next year.” 

While traditions are constantly changing, improving, and adapting to the world we live in, there are some, like the school ring, that have remained unaltered ever since they were created. The school ring’s desgin has endured decades and generations of lourdes girls. Its consistent, intricate arrangement is a symbol of the sisterhood that ties each class of students together, no matter what year they graduated. 

“My ring constantly reminds me of the beautiful sisterhood we have and that wherever I’ll go, I’ll always have my sisters to fall back on and rely on,” senior Sofia Quintana said. 

The Olla Olla Ay has stayed intact, word for word, ever since senior Annie Alvarez came up with it in 2001. More than 20 years later, it is still filling the school’s halls with joy and pride. 

“I graduated last year and to be honest the Olla Olla Ay is still part of my everyday life,” alumna Gabriella Pozo said. “I’ll randomly sing it in the shower or while I’m doing different things. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget because it’s a part of me and it connects me to my class and to Lourdes.” 

Senior Lock In is another tradition that has remained unchanged ever since it was spirit headed by the 2017 council. Even though at first they wondered if it would be a better idea to have this memorable night towards the end of their senior year, it was ultimately decided that this tradition would help their class kick off senior year on the right foot. 

“Senior Lock In was developed because the girls wanted to have a moment where they could forget about the stress that comes with senior year,” Ms. Figueras said. “They wanted to be able to start their senior year bonding and just really enjoying each others company.”  

Lastly, while some traditions change and some stay the same, there are always new ones being introduced. This year Ms. Figueras brought back Blue and White Week as the school’s way of celebrating Catholic Schools Week. According to Ms. Figueras, for a long time Spirit Week coincided with Catholic Schools week. 

“Since Catholic Schools Week is a national event and Spirit Week was our way of celebrating Catholic Schools week, it always had to take place during the last week of January,” Ms. Figueras said. “However, for a long time students had been complaining that spirit week always ended with an announcement of who won Spirit Week, so the spirit kind of ended in February. But this was just because we were celebrating Spirit Week in Catholic Schools week. So this year what was decided was that Spirit Week would be pushed farther back into the year so that spirit points and everything could go longer into the school year. And that’s when we created Blue and White Week, which is just a celebration of lourdes, which is what Catholics Schools Week is about.” 

“My favorite tradition is actually a new one from this year,” Mendiola said. “I loved Blue and White Week because it reminded me of Epiphany. We also had a day, called Field Day, where we dressed up in the school’s colors, ours were blue and yellow, and we would go up against each other in different games.” 

Old or new, traditions are a part of the sisterhood that all students share. They are what unites them to past generations of bobcats and what ties them together to the next generation of students. It does not matter what their graduation year is, every Lourdes girl will always remember their years at the school because of the memories and traditions they were part of.