For Texas Academy of Math and Science students, family weekend ended not with a bang, but with a ring.

Eighty-seven students were presented with a class ring in a ceremony Sunday afternoon, followed by a cake and punch reception in 'Mac Café.' The ceremony is organized by the academy's student council, and began in November of 1991.

"The ceremony is always done in November," said Roberta Key of the academy's student life department. She said it has been coupled with family weekend for the past few years to allow more people to attend.

Students order the rings during summer orientation, and the rings are held until the ceremony. Students are given the opportunity to choose who they would like to present their rings. Key said seniors in the academy, resident assistants and peer advisers are most often chosen as presenters. They are chosen about two weeks before the ceremony, giving students an opportunity to develop relationships in the academy before making their choice.

The ring features the academy's star surrounded by UNT and Texas Academy of Math and Science. The graduation year is written on the outer edge and the class year is engraved on the inside. The ring was designed by the charter class of 1990, and only one company is allowed to manufacture it, which helps bring a sense of unity to the students, Key said. She is particularly impressed with the style and design of the ring.

"The ring is a signet ring like Ivy League schools on the east coast. It also doesn't have a stone like high school class rings," Key said.

At the beginning of the ceremony juniors sit on one side of the main auditorium and their presenters sit on the other side. Everyone makes their way on stage and the presenters give a short accolade or speech about the student, often mentioning their history together. At the end, the students are given their rings, and head to McConnell Hall for a reception.

Key said the turnout for the ceremony is quite high. About half of the junior class orders a ring, and 90 percent of those students attend the ceremony. The ceremony is the last event of the two day family weekend. Parents and students also have opportunities to watch a performance by the Academy Players, view displays from students involved in internship programs over the summer, and hear a "State of the Academy" address by the academy staff over the course of the weekend.

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