Class of 2023 receive their rings during ceremony

Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2023 enthusiastically show off their rings after they received them during the annual Ring Weekend ceremony Friday in front of family and friends at the Trophy Point Amphitheater. The weekend also included a run and banquet to celebrate the milestone event. The tradition of the class ring at USMA first began in 1835. Years later, Ron Turner, USMA Class of 1958, developed the idea of incorporating the gold of alumni rings into the current classʼ rings. In November 2000, the Herff Jones Company melted gold of 31 rings with that yearʼs class through the Class Ring Memorial Program, which continues today. (Photo by John Pellino/USMA PAO)

Superintendent Steven W. Gilland, USMA Class of 1990, shows off his ring with four Class of 2023 cadets following the ring ceremony. (Photo by Capt. David Hoy/USMA PAO)

Members of Company I-2 from the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2023 enjoy the moment after receiving their rings at the Ring Weekend ceremony Friday at the Trophy Point Amphitheater. (Photo by Class of 2024 Cadet Stephen Litterini)

Class of 2026 cadets recite the ring poop while marveling at a Class of 2023 cadetʼs ring. (Photo by John Pellino/USMA PAO)

A closeup of a Firstieʼs ring. (Photo by John Pellino/USMA PAO)