The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Torch Night

At Dominican High School in Detroit (all female), one of the
traditions is "Torch Night." When a student is a sophomore, a
junior picks her as her "Torch Night Partner," or "Torchie." The
two students spend the next year getting to know each other and
becoming closer. The next year, when the junior (who is now a
senior) is ready to graduate, there is a night called "Torch
Night." It is held in the auditorium and the partners stand next
to each other. There are readings and speeches, and then the
senior passes a votive--the torch-- to the junior, thereby passing
on the torch of leading the school. The junior, in turn, gives her
senior partner a rose as a promise to her to carry on the torch and
also as a goodbye gift of love. This has been a tradition at
Dominican High School for many years. As each partner passes on
the torch, there remains a connection that was begun many years
before.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

Date learned: 00-00-1984