Ties & Traditions
While St. Mary's Academy was founded in 1889, ties were not part of the uniform until 1925. Since then, each graduating class has marked their time at SMA with a colorful tie, unique and special to their class.
The very first class to wear ties, the Class of 1925, wore a green tie. The Class of 1926 opted for an orange band on their sweater sleeves instead, while the Class of 1927 chose red ties. The Class of 1928 wore distinctive gold ties tipped in purple, making them the only class to wear "purple ties". From 1929 through 1938, ties were worn in shades of green, orange, red, and yellow (not gold). However, beginning in 1939, the sequence of blue, red, gold, and green was officially adopted and has remained in place ever since.
The tie is more than just a colorful piece of fabric; it's a central part of an SMA student's identity. It represents a student's individual place within her class and her shared identity as an SMA Belle. This long cherished tradition is significant piece of cultural continuity, connecting past generations of SMA legacies to the vibrant young women of today.
This tie tradition, along with a variety of events throughout the year, helps foster a strong sense of sisterhood at SMA, providing Belles with opportunities to bond with their classmates and with students from all grade levels.
The very first class to wear ties, the Class of 1925, wore a green tie. The Class of 1926 opted for an orange band on their sweater sleeves instead, while the Class of 1927 chose red ties. The Class of 1928 wore distinctive gold ties tipped in purple, making them the only class to wear "purple ties". From 1929 through 1938, ties were worn in shades of green, orange, red, and yellow (not gold). However, beginning in 1939, the sequence of blue, red, gold, and green was officially adopted and has remained in place ever since.
The tie is more than just a colorful piece of fabric; it's a central part of an SMA student's identity. It represents a student's individual place within her class and her shared identity as an SMA Belle. This long cherished tradition is significant piece of cultural continuity, connecting past generations of SMA legacies to the vibrant young women of today.
This tie tradition, along with a variety of events throughout the year, helps foster a strong sense of sisterhood at SMA, providing Belles with opportunities to bond with their classmates and with students from all grade levels.