Torch Ceremony tradition continues at BHS

The Bermuda High School held its Annual Torch Ceremony last Thursday, April 18th, 2013.

The 76-year old tradition was started by former Head of School Marjorie Hallett in 1937.  The original torch was simply a tin can nailed onto the end of a broomstick, with a rag soaked in kerosene stuffed into the can.  D.J. Williams gave the school an Olympic-type torch with a short handle, which was later lengthened for safety reasons, and ultimately a harness was made at KEMH, to make it easier for the Head Girl to carry the torch.

Torch Ceremony 1965

The ceremony was held in silence with students, teachers and alumni facing forward, hands at their sides.  The lighted torch was carried past alumni by Margaret Lloyd ‘49 and handed to the Head of School, Linda Parker ’78, who carried it past the staff and then handed it to the Head Girl, Megan Bower ‘13 to carry past the entire student body, alongside Head Boy, Andrew Sussman ’13. 

Everyone, in turn, touched the handle of the Torch with their right hand, following which the School song was sung and The Torchbearer was read:

So I speak

Not for myself, for the age unborn.

I caught the fire from those who went before,

The bearers of the Torch, who could not see

The goal to which they strained; I caught their fire,

And carried it only a little way beyond;

But there are those that wait for it I know,

Those who will carry it on to victory,

I dare not fail them . . . Looking back, I see

Those others . . . with their arms outstretched

 . . . pointing to the future.