Inauguration Day should be a big event for your school, one in which the entire student body should participate to honor the newly elected officers. An Inauguration Ceremony should be simple but dignified. Its purpose should be clear.

This can be effectively done by holding your ceremony at a time when the major portion of your student body can be present and held in a place that lends itself to an atmosphere of dignity and reflection. A nice auditorium or, very appropriately, your parish church would be just the place.

You could ask one of the neighboring elementary or high schools that has a bend to play during the inauguration. Or if your school has a choir or glee club, it might want to sing for this festive occasion.

Planning far enough in advance might afford you the opportunity of getting one of your local public officials to come as a guest speaker. Sometimes your Congressperson, Assemblyperson, Mayor, State or Federal Senator is available and welcomes such an opportunity. It is well worth an attempt.

The following is a brief outline of an Inauguration Ceremony held in a parish church:

Presentation of Colors

Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner of Publicity and Public Relations

Opening Prayer: The Pastor or his delegate

“Welcome” and Introductions: The School Principal

Keynote Address: This could be a person in public office, a past Student Body President, a TACSC Representative, etc.

Introduction of Student Council Officers: Student Council Moderator

Presentation of Candles & Pins: The School Principal
(As each officer is introduced s/he comes up to the sanctuary and receives a candle, which s/he is to light from the one burning at the center of the main altar and which is representative of Christ, their light and their leader. They also receive a pin that symbolizes their unity and their membership in a national organization, TACSC.

Oath of Office: Student Council Members for the 2004 – 2005 school year.
(After officers have lit their candles they form a semi-circle around the altar and face the congregation present. At this time, they recite together the Oath of Office.)

Presentation of the Gavel: Past President of the Student Council

Inaugural Address: New President of the Student Council

Closing Prayer: A special slide presentation might be presented here – something different and special is in order.

Sample Oath:

You student leaders standing before us have been elected by your fellow students to represent them here at ______________________________ School. They have entrusted your with a great responsibility. It is truly an honor to have been elected to the Board of Commissioners.

 Since you are going to work together as a team, you will take your pledge in unison. But your success also depends upon your individual efforts. The Principal represents the authority of the School. (The Principal will light the first big candle that represents the school.) From this candle each of your will light your own candles because you are a part of the school and the team.

 (Call each one by name and office to light candle and return to place.)

 I _________________________ of ____________________________ School as a member of the Board of Commissioners, promise to fulfill the duties of my office to the best of my ability. I will strive to promote school spirit and good citizenship among my fellow students. And I will not forget my obligations to my school, the teachers and the students. May this light I hold be the symbol of the light of my own life and efforts, and may it shine before my fellow peers and be an example to my associates.

For more Inauguration Ideas, you can order TACSC’s The Inauguration Ceremony ( # 107 from our TITLES Collection). Visit our Programs & Services area of www.tacsc.org under Pamphlets.