Traditions

Sisterhood Traditions
Being a part of an all-girls community allows our students to develop lifelong friendships through shared experiences, bonding activities and other special SHA traditions. These include:

Spirit Week
This long-standing tradition energizes the student body with a Student Council-sponsored week of entertaining events, friendly competitions, and spirit-boosting activities. Theme days, special assemblies, and costumes all lead up to the finale – the class karaoke contest.

Spirit Week 2022-23 Videos:

Class of 2023

Day of SHAring
A spring event, this day is dedicated to school-wide service at dozens of organizations throughout Western New York. Thousands of hours of service are completed in just one day showing the positive impact our school community can have on Western New York.

Junior Ring Ceremony
Every fall, a special evening ceremony is held at which Juniors receive their class rings while surrounded by family, faculty, staff and friends.

Christ the King Ceremony
An interfaith celebration of our Senior Class in the Franciscan tradition of peace, justice, respect and service.  

Feast of St. Francis
Celebrated in October, this mass celebrates SHA’s patron, St. Francis. The liturgy focuses on the life of St Francis and honors the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity, our foundresses. This special feast day includes ice cream for all students courtesy of the Sisters!

Mother-Daughter Communion Breakfast
This Sunday morning tradition provides an opportunity for students and their mothers or important female mentors to spend time together reflecting upon their special relationships and includes a liturgy and breakfast. 

Maroon & White Dance (formerly the Father-Daughter Dance)
All students, together with their fathers or special father-figures, are invited to this fun evening of dinner and dancing.

Alumnae Sunday
On the first Sunday in June, the graduating Senior class is welcomed into the Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Association and the next stage of their relationship with SHA. During the ceremony, one Senior selected by her classmates receives the Alumnae Award for demonstrating outstanding dedication to SHA’s goals and philosophy.

Commencement
Dressed in long white gowns and carrying a dozen red roses, the graduates receive their diplomas, celebrate their time together at SHA, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that await them. This impressive and moving graduation ceremony takes place at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts. 

Walkathon
In the true spirit of our Franciscan values, this annual walkathon raises money for SHA and local charitable organizations. Additionally, each year money is set aside for our students to apply for grants to support charities and projects dedicated to women and children. The grant process is competitive and administered by the class treasurers.

Christmas Dance
This all-school semi-formal dance kicks off the Christmas holiday and is a fun event for all who attend. Whether you go with a group of friends or a date, you’ll be guaranteed to dance all evening.

 

When SHA girls gather, they are sure to belt out our lively school song with pride!

 

 

This cheer always gets SHA girls on their feet!