A lasting light: Eclipse-inspired class banner carries on cherished ’Berg tradition

One of Heidelberg’s most beloved and enduring traditions — the Class Banner — made its official debut during Commencement rehearsal before taking its rightful place on stage during Saturday’s ceremony.

As members of the Class of ’26 began designing this year’s banner, the committee found inspiration in a shared memory that brought the campus community together: the memorable solar eclipse of April 2024.

Class Banner Committee member Alyssa Kordish was joined on stage Friday by classmates Rayce Septer, Jaislyn Woodall, Caleb Silvia, Tayleon Waterhouse and Makayla McDonald to unveil the banner and present it to Heidelberg President Rob Huntington.

“We had lots of early conversations about what we wanted the banner to represent,” Alyssa said. “We decided on something simplistic but unique.”

The committee chose to commemorate the solar eclipse experience shared by the class and paired the design with a meaningful quote featured on the banner:

“I will love the light for it shows me the way,
yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”

The quote is attributed to Augustine 'Og' Mandino II, the American author and motivational speaker best known for his inspirational writings, including the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World.

Ironically, graduating senior Abbie Stine, who represented the Class of ’26 as its speaker, also chose to weave the theme and symbolism from the shared eclipse experience into her remarks at Commencement.

Beginning today, two days after Commencement, the Class of ’26 banner will hang in the lobby of Campus Center for the next year until the Class of ’27 continues the tradition. In the years ahead, the banner will also return every five years as part of the class’s reunion celebrations — serving as a lasting symbol of the memories, milestones and shared experiences that defined the Class of ’26.

Pictured (L-R) with President Rob Huntington: Makayla McDonald, Tay Waterhouse, Rayce Septer, Jaislynn Woodall, Caleb Silvia and Alyssa Kordish