Rochester City School District

Transfer of Flags Ceremony, City School District's
Oldest Tradition, To Be Held May 18

The 119th Annual Transfer of Flags Ceremony of the Rochester City School District will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Monroe High School, 164 Alexander Street. The ceremony is the oldest surviving tradition in the City School District.

Each year, students from each school are chosen as "Standard Bearers" for the coming school year in honor of their outstanding academic achievement and citizenship. The students are presented with an American flag by the previous year's Standard Bearers, who in turn receive bronze medallions for their year of service. Standard Bearers are entrusted to guard the safety and dignity of the flag. At the ceremony, approximately 150 students will be appointed Standard Bearers for the 2008-09 school year.

Rochester businessman and Civil War veteran Henry Lomb, who presented the medallions until his death in 1908, began the ceremony in 1889. Bausch & Lomb still provides the medallions for the event each year.

Music at this year’s ceremony will be provided by the School of the Arts Wind Ensemble. Keynote speaker is Board of Education Vice President Van Henri White.