If you’ve recently walked past the College Counseling Office and heard the cheerful sound of bells, you’re not imagining things. The ringing marks a new and symbolic tradition celebrating each student’s college application milestones.
A gentle chime has become the soundtrack of accomplishment in the College Counseling Office this fall. Each ring signals the successful submission of a college application, a moment of triumph for seniors navigating deadlines and essays.
Our new college counselor, Mrs. Michele Ahlers Richardson, introduced the practice, which she had brought from her previous schools. “The bell symbolizes joy, hope, and new beginnings,” she explained. “In the Catholic tradition, bells are used to mark sacred moments, times of reflection, celebration, and transition. We wanted to bring that same spirit into the college process.”
The idea quickly resonated with students and staff alike. “Hearing the bells makes me feel part of something bigger,” said senior Sofia Fluhrer. “It reminds us we’re all in this together, cheering each other on.”
What began as one counselor’s gesture has now spread throughout the office; each of the four counselors keeps a bell on hand, ready to sound a cheerful ring whenever a student clicks “submit.”
Teachers and classmates have also noticed the joyful echoes down the hallways. “It’s a lovely reminder of progress and perseverance,” said Upper School math teacher Mrs. Cuza. “Those little rings carry a lot of meaning.”
As application season continues, the counseling team hopes the bells will encourage students to pause, celebrate, and recognize how far they’ve come, one joyful chime at a time.
