Today, the Saturday before the first Sunday of fall semester, is possibly one of the coolest days of the Judson calendar. Bright and early at 8:30 am this morning, seniors began tromping through ivy beds around campus, pulling and snipping ivy. Second years taught new freshman how to use the ivy we snipped to make long, thick ivy chains to be carried tomorrow. All Judson students will walk with the chains as a group to Siloam Baptist Church, the church that Judson's founders attended. In Judson's traditional songs, we sing that ivy chains bind Judson sister to Judson sister. While snipping ivy, it was nice to feel part of a quick, effectively communicating group. Like Christmas elves, everyone had their respective job to perform. No job was any more important than any other, with the exception the senior class president, song leader, and people from student life who are responsible for coordinating and organizing basically EVERYTHING for Rose Sunday!     

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, my next favorite day of the year! When we walk, we'll be doing something that Judson girls have been doing since Judson was founded in 1838. At Rose Sunday rehearsal, Judson's president, Dr. Potts, spoke about the days of old when Milo P. Jewett, one of Judson's founders and first president of Judson, tapped his cane at the steps of Jewett Hall inviting the Judson girls to walk with him to church. At Judson, I feel like part of a legacy. My mother attended Judson, singing some of the same Judson songs, and going through most of the same traditions (some I can tell about, and some secret ones!) that I've been through.  A lot of these traditions, like Rose Sunday, connected my mother to classes way before just as I am being linked to her class. Even if my mother hadn't been a Judson girl, I would still be in awe of Judson's rich tradition. Some Judson songs like the Judson chant make chill bumps pop up on my arms whenever I hear or sing it. Judson girls are connected both through the ages and in the present. The day before Rose Sunday always leaves me amazed by how we came in a seemingly random group, but in a few weeks are already joined, stronger and more confident.