ESD Celebrates Eighth Annual Pin It On Ceremony
September 16, 2026
The Episcopal School of Dallas gathered today for the eighth annual Pin It On ceremony, a tradition that continues to highlight the importance of community, belonging, and shared identity across all divisions of the school.
The Pin It On ceremony, though relatively new compared to ESD’s long-standing traditions, has quickly become a meaningful rite of passage for students. The tradition was conceptualized in 2018, during the construction of the Lower School building, when faculty, administrators, and students came together to prepare for the unification of all three divisions on a single campus. Student voices played a central role in shaping this transition, with three Student Advisory Councils established to explore how best to preserve and create traditions that would foster connection and unity.
One council, composed entirely of students, proposed a new tradition that would recognize the transition from Lower to Middle School while strengthening bonds across grade levels. Their vision became the Pin It On ceremony. The council focused on four key themes:
- The transition into Middle School and the new experiences it brings.
- Class unity and the friendships that grow over time.
- A sense of belonging and pride in one’s class and school.
- The shared identity of being part of the ESD community.
This year, members of the Class of 2030 presented pins to the incoming fifth-grade Class of 2034. The pins themselves carry historical significance. Students created the original design in 2018 as eighth graders on the Colorado trip—now the Class of 2023, currently juniors in college. That same group became the first ninth graders to present pins to fifth graders the following year, establishing the annual tradition in 2019.
The 2026 ceremony reinforced the values that make ESD unique: unity, pride, and belonging, while also highlighting the enduring connections between classes. The special link between the Classes of 2030 and 2034, symbolized through this year’s pin, will remain part of ESD’s living history.
The Pin It On ceremony stands as a reminder of how ESD’s traditions continue to evolve, honoring the past while building bridges for the future.
