Waiting for My Senior Ring 

By Cadet Dominic Roberts '26. Photos by Matt Jackson, 20 August 2025.

I don’t have my senior ring yet, but I already know it will mean more than just a piece of metal with my name and year on it. At Missouri Military Academy, everything we do carries a sense of tradition, discipline, and brotherhood, and the senior ring is no exception. I can already feel the weight of what it will represent—the years of work, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the bond I’ve built with my brothers here. 

When I think about slipping that ring onto my finger, I don’t just think about myself. I think about the long days of drill, the late nights studying, the early mornings where we pushed each other to keep going. I think about the friendships that turned into brotherhood—the guys who stood by me when things were tough, who motivated me when I wanted to quit, and who celebrated with me when I succeeded. The ring will carry all of that, and that’s what makes it so meaningful. 

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Cadets ponder the achievements and memories which will be encased in their Senior Rings.

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A part of Jostens rings and traditions is an included companion ring. A companion ring is made of White Listrium and only contains a graduation year. When first getting sized for rings, cadets receive this ring as a promise gift of what is to come. It raises the anticipation of what is to eventually come while simultaneously providing a slamming reality that as seniors, “We’re almost done! These are the final moments of our childhood”, without having a full and complete ring which signifies thousands of memories.  

For me, it’s also about tradition. At MMA, we’re not just individuals—we’re part of something bigger. Generations of cadets before us have worn their rings with pride.  Soon, it will be our turn to continue that tradition. Just imagining that moment makes me realize how much this place has shaped me. The ring will be a reminder that I’ve earned my place in that line of brotherhood. 

There’s also a part of me that knows the ring will serve as a connection when we leave here. We’ll all move on to different colleges, careers, and paths in life, but that ring will always remind us of where we came from. It will remind me that no matter where I go, I’ll always be part of this brotherhood, and that bond doesn’t end at graduation. 

Right now, I’m waiting for that moment, and the anticipation itself feels powerful. It’s not just about finally owning the ring—it’s about what it stands for: perseverance, tradition, and the brotherhood we’ve built together. I know that when I finally put it on, it will be more than just mine. It will be ours. 

The Class of 2024 displays their Senior Rings to families and friends who have dedicated love and compassion toward them and their futures. 

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This article was written for the Journalism and Media Production class, fall 2025, taught by George Davison '68. Cadet Roberts is a senior from Sullivan, Missouri.