Strike Up the Gong: Seniors Enjoy Spartan College Application Season Traditions

Strike the gong and sign the autograph wall. College decisions are filling senior’s inboxes and mailboxes and the St. Stephen’s College Counseling team is making a giant noise by announcing the news as loudly as they can to make sure everyone within close vicinity of the College Counseling office knows the exact moment another senior learns their college decision. A huge GONG vibrates the windows as enthusiastic cheers and congratulations fill the space.

Amelia Echeverry ’25 stepped up to the gong in early November and did the honors after learning she was admitted to Seton Hall University, the same school her parents attended.

As College Counseling Director Alex Taylor handed Echeverry the large soft mallet, Echeverry handed Taylor her iPhone so she could capture the special moment.

“You gotta share this with mom and dad,” Taylor told her. “Video or it didn’t happen.” 

“Don’t be afraid of the sound, it’s going to be loud,” said College Counseling Director Claire Fenton alongside other members of the counseling team who were ready to cheer her on.

The gong tradition dates back eight years when it was first christened by Danielle Kessler ’17, according to the framed plaque displayed on the wall next to it. The gong was originally gifted to the school in 2016 by former Director of College Counseling Bob Clagett. It’s traditionally rung by seniors after receiving their first offer of admission, even if it is not their top choice. 

Getting to the gong moment is an involved process that the College Counseling team understands. It’s another reason they have built in moments of celebration that continue when a senior submits their first application. As soon as they do — many times with their college counselor sitting by their side for moral support — students get to add their names to the autograph wall where dozens of other signatures, in a rainbow of colors, cover the glass. The autograph wall, with a headline title “I Applied!” is a newer idea introduced in 2019 by Fenton who saw it in an Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools online forum.

“People were passing around ideas in the thread about ways you honor the journey in a results-based process,” said Fenton.

Taylor has several videos of the exciting and nerve-racking moment current seniors hit “submit” on their first college application, including a clip of Marygrace Beinke ’25 who was determined to sign her name on the wall first. Beinke submitted her first application before the first day of school in August. On day one, she grabbed a blue marker and added her signature to the top of the window.

“She was so excited,” said Taylor.

Foot traffic, wall autographs and gong chimes in the College Counseling Office have increased in the last several weeks as the number of applications have been submitted and decisions are handed down. So far, eight seniors have swung the gong mallet and that number will continue to climb. 

“Amelia, where were you admitted to college?” shouts Taylor to Amelia Echeverry ’25. 

“Seton Hall University!” Echeverry said with a smile.

“Congratulations! Ring the gong!” exclaimed Taylor.

As soon as the mallet made contact with the metal, Echeverry jumped a little, laughed and covered her ears.

“Good job, girl. I’m so proud of you,” said Taylor while giving her a big hug.