In order to help provide a beautiful graduation for the seniors of the 2015 class, 36 students at Bel Air High School will be volunteering their time with Mrs. Tackett to make their own rose arches that will be held over the seniors’ heads on June 3 as they walk to find their seats at Harford Community College.

Rose Arches have been around at Bel Air High School for 50 years. It is a great privilege and responsibility to be chosen as a rose archer. It is important to construct the rose arches well in order to have success on graduation day. A mandatory meeting took place on May 12 about the creation of rose arches, and all information needed was given in order for each student to be successful.

Compared to last year, the amount of rose arches being made has been reduced. Last year, there were two rose archers per arch due to how many had to be made. This year, only 9 rose arches will be created with 4 people per arch. The reason for the limitation of rose arches is due to the set-up of Harford Community College where graduation day will take place. The 4 rose archers will take turns holding the arches on graduation day.

A lot goes into making a rose arch. Students who are rose archers must collect 3 or 4 dozen flowers from willing stores. Many supplies go into making a rose arch such as florist wire, masking tape, newspaper, ribbons, and more. The flowers collected will completely cover the rose arch, as well anything used to make the base. The ending result is well worth the time and money spent making the rose arches.

Rose Archers will meet during period 4A on June 1, as well as in the morning of graduation, June 3. They will practice with the graduating students in order to make sure everything will run smoothly on graduation day. As graduates walk in and out of graduation, rose arches will be held over their heads. This is an awesome sight to see, and some graduates even grab flowers off the arches to keep from graduation as they walk out to a new beginning.

After graduation, rose arches will either be dismantled, or passed down to North Harford High School who will be having their graduation at the same location a little later in the night. Make sure to look for the rose arches if you are attending graduation. Congratulations to the graduating seniors, may your futures be bright!