Throughout four years of high school, students create many memories. Mount Saint Joseph Academy offers a variety of traditions, and here are some favorites from the Class of 2026.

Founders’ Day, a tradition for many years takes place in late October each year. It celebrates the founding of the school and the next day students walk to the Motherhouse with their classmates.

“One of my favorite memories is probably Founders’ Day. I really like how everyone has their sleepovers the night before, and then, the all-girls dance party gets crazy and lit, and it’s just awesome,” Shay Gura ‘26 said.

“I like Founders’ Day because I get to walk to the Motherhouse and take photos with my friends,” Abby McCabe ‘26 said.

Unitas is the senior retreat that all students are required to attend in order to graduate.

“We really seek to create a welcoming, engaging, and fun retreat experience where everyone can be themselves, whatever their background is. The idea is that we get together and peers share their stories about 

their personal, spiritual journey. Then we discuss them in small groups. Along with some prayer services and some other unifying activities. 

But the whole point is really to bring unity to the class, both among themselves and with God,” Campus Minister Charlie Bates says.

“Unitas was my favorite memory, because it was really fun, and I got to reach out to classmates that I didn’t already know,” Maddie Dudley ‘26 said.

The Day of Giving, formerly known as Charity Day, is the day the school fundraises money for the school. In the morning a mass is held and then throughout the day there are several activities. To finish out the day there is a talent show hosted by students.

“My favorite memory from the Mount was hosting Charity Day with my friends. It was just so much fun, and there was so much work that went into it, and it was really fun to, like, see it all happen, and everyone enjoy,” Addi Ross ‘26 said.

Rowing is one of Mount’s most popular sports. The rowing team has been around 27 years and continues to keep growing.

“My favorite memory from the mount was probably junior year being part of the crew team. Like being in the JV8+ at the time because it was fun and I felt accomplished,” Mare Rambo ‘26 said.

As the class of 2026 prepares to graduate, each tradition is different but they all share one thing in common — they bring students together and define the Mount experience.