Ascension Day is a celebration that resonates in the hearts of the St. Andrew’s Schools community, especially the junior class as they play a pivotal role in this cherished tradition.
Ascension Day is celebrated 40 days after Easter and commemorates the day Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. The celebration is also St. Andrew’s Founder’s Day; Queen Emma Kaleleonālani’s founded the school on Ascension Day in 1867, which fell on May 30 that year.
The junior class spends the previous night in the Robinson Courtyard busily preparing the Coral Cross – a 9-foot fixture that has been at the school since its founding in 1867 – for its great unveiling the next morning.
This longstanding tradition is highly anticipated by students, staff, and event attendees.
Under the direction of class advisors, members of the junior class traditionally use more than 6,000 carnations and roses (Queen Emma’s favorite), delicately placing them into a frame constructed around the cross to hold the flowers in place according to the design.
The cross itself is made from fossiliferous reef rock from the Waimanalō High Stand and is approximately 125,000 years old. A close look reveals ancient corals, clams, oysters, and snails.
“The Coral Cross represents our relationship with each other over time. Whether adorned in flowers or in its natural state – it calls on each of us to take care of the planet and the people on it,” Head of School Ruth R. Fletcher, Ph.D. said. “It symbolizes our connection to Queen Emma, our Hawaiian heritage, and Episcopal faith. It connects us to each other and our many alums and calls each of us to ‘Strive for the Highest’ in all that we do.”
