"The Virginia Tech Ring Collection has become one of the University's most revered and prestigious traditions since its beginnings in 1914.  The Ring program is unique from other colleges in that the collection is completely redesigned each year, making it a highly anticipated tradition within the University.

The first Class Ring at Virginia Tech belonged to the Class of 1911, but it was the Class of 1914 that selected the first Ring Design Committee, a special group of students charged with the task of designing a Class Ring that would be unique an meaningful to their class.  Ninety-nine years later, the Ring Design Committee of the class still has the unique responsibility of designing a ring collection that represents Virginia Tech and serves as a reflection of the memories and traditions that each class will take with them when they leave Tech....The design, collection, and the namesake are revealed to the Class during the fall of their junior year at Ring Premiere."
-from  the Class of 2010 Ring Collection Brochure

TONIGHT WAS RING PREMIERE!!!

Basically I am so, so, SO excited about this year, because junior year is when all of the fun Hokie traditions come into play.  As the introduction said, a committee is selected during our sophomore year to get together and design a ring collection that is completely unique to our year- while there are several styles to choose from, regardless of the ring you choose, you know that no one in any other class will have a ring that looks like yours.

So, ladies and gentlemen, without furthur ado, I reveal to you the G. Truman Ward Ring Collection for the Class of 2010:


UNIVERSITY SIDE
Torgersen Bridge- Forming the entranceway into Virginia Tech and named in honor of Tech's 14th president, Paul E. Torgersen, the bridge is a popular location for students to study while overlooking the beautiful campus
Ut Prosim- The Virginia Tech motto, "That I May Serve"
3 Stars- Symbolizing the past, present, and future Virginia Tech men and women who defend our country's freedom
Crossed Sabres- A traditional element on the ring's design, it represents the command presence of a military officer and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets
1872- the year Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College was founded, later to become Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
American Flag- ...I think this one is self-explanatory
Virginia Commonwealth Flag- The State Flag of Virginia, adopted in 1861, bears the motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis"- "Thus Always to Tyrants"
Sceaming Eagle- A traditional ring element since the first ring by the class of 1911, the screaming eagle, evolved originally from twin eagles, symbolizes the virtues strength and freedom.  Written across the wings is the motto "Lest We Forget", representing all of the Virginia Tech alumni who died serving our country.
Burruss Hall- Built in 1936, it serves as the current admin building, named after Tech's 8th and first alumnus President Julian Ashby Burruss, Class of 1898
4-16 Memorial- Designed and created by Tech students, this memorial honors the 32 lives the Virginia Tech Community lost tragically on April 16, 2007.
University Seal- The seal, created in 1896 and officially adopted by the Board of Visitors in 1963, reflects the agricultural and mechanical emphasis in the Virginia Tech curriculum during its first century
Corps of Cadets Shield- The seal was designed by Col. Harry D. Temple, class of 1934, in 1965, which granted the Corps to receive a formal Coat of Arms from the Army Institute of Heraldry
Pylons- Designed by Henry Kries and Charles Rudy, the War Memorial honors 424 Hokies who have lost their lives in the military services.  These eight pylons represent the values of Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim.
Skipper- Named in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, its is the cannon currently used for football games and special events around campus
Flaming VT- A homecoming pep rally tradition and a symbol of Hotel Company of the VT Corps of Cadets
Holtzman Alumni Center- Opened and dedicated in 2005, it is the current home of Alumni activities and the VT Alumni Association


CLASS SIDE
2010 Interlocking Chain- Our class motto, "With the Strength of Many We Serve as One" appropriately represents this traditional ring element, which symbolizes Class unity
8 Stars- These stars represent the eight classmates we lost on April 16- Austin Michelle Cloyd, Rachael Elizabeth Hill, Emily Jane Hilscher, Henry J. Lee, Lauren Ashely McCain, Erin Nicole Peterson, Mary Karen Read, Reema Joseph Samaha
Mountains- The Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains
Downtown Blacksburg- founded in 1798 on a 38 acre tract laid out and deeded by William Black, for whom the town was named.
Beat UVA- a traditional slogan included on rings for many years, and my personal favorite part of this ring :)
HokieBird- the official mascot, who first appeared in 1987
VT Ribbon- tattooed on HokieBird's arm to show that we will never forget the events of April 16, 2007
B2 Stealth Bomber- one of many planes to fly over Hokie football games
Cassell Coliseum- the basketball stadium which seats 10,000
Hokie Nation- representing the thousands of students and alumni all over the world
VT Basketball, Softball, and Soccer- sports teams that have gained noteriety in addition to our ACC-Champion football team; most notably, the softball team made their first ever appearance in the Women's College World Series in 2008 and pitcher Angela Tincher became the USA Softball National Player of the Year
North Endzone- main student section of Lane Stadium
ACC- the Atlantic Coast Conference logo displayed on the Jumbotron, representing our 2008 Championship win over Boston College
Keys- representing our tradition at Key Play time, when students shake their keys to distract opponents on their 3rd down
The Gobbler- one of our early logos, when our official mascot was the Fighting Gobbler
Viribus Multorum Una Servimus- "With the Strength of Many, We Serve as One"
The Cascades- a favorite hiking spot for many students
Drillfield- the center of campus, where students cross to get to class and the Corps presents its Pass and Review
Duck Pond and gazebo- a scenic spot on campus
Hokie Tracks- the footprints you leave behind forever
Class Logo- the official logo of the class of 2010.  look at it closely.  it mimics the VT logo, but the "V" is actually a 2 and the "T" is actually a 1
~where it says "Architecture and Urban Studies" is where your college goes, not your major.  so mine will just say "Engineering".  but I'm sure you figured that out on your own :) ~

So it's a big ring, right?  There are girlie designs that are small and feminine much like my high school ring, but I really want to wear this unique design, so I'm going for the largest women's ring.  Also, it's the only ring that has our full school name around the stone, and not just "Virginia Tech".  My friends and I have decided that we need to start doing finger exercises so we can manage to wear these big heavy things in the spring :)

I can't WAIT until I get it in March!!!