On Mon., June 2, 2014, the tradition of the rose arches as part of Bel Air High School’s Graduation Ceremony continues, as 32 students hold their carefully made rose arches above the Graduating Seniors and faculty as they walk into the gymnasium.

Rose Arches have been a tradition for more than 50 years.  Bel Air is the only school in the county that still participates in the tradition. Mrs. Tackett is continuing the rose arch tradition this year.  Thirty two juniors are selected in order to make 16 rose arches.

The Rose Archers spend the month of May asking local florists to donate roses.  On the day of Graduation, they work all day to make beautiful and extremely heavy arches.  To make the arches, the metal wire is wrapped in newspaper, dark trash bags, and florist wire.  Then greens along with roses, carnations, and other flowers, are placed onto the arches.  The 16 arches are then held up, two juniors per arch, along the aisles for the seniors to walk under as they process into the graduation ceremony, and then again when they process out after graduating.

Although the flowers may die, the graduating class of 2014 and their fondest memories will live on forever.