Traditions and Class Bonding Kick Off New School Year

The energy is palpable each September when students return to the CBA campus.

This year was no different, as time-honored traditions and class bonding were featured during CBA's Welcome Week.

The school year started with Oath Day for the Class of 2029 on September 3, giving the youngest students a chance to learn about the pillars that will guide their experience at the Academy.

The Academy Oath is an expression of the Lasallian values that students learn and strive to live out at CBA. It represents the school’s pride in tradition and commitment to our principles.

It was an appropriate and meaningful way to kick off these young men's four years at the Academy, one that included gathering as a class for their first Mass, writing letters to their future selves, sessions with upperclassmen mentors, and of course, penning their name on the Class of 2029 Oath.

The Class of 2029 Oath will now hang in the main lobby for the next four years. 

On September 4, the Class of 2027 gathered in the Cox Gymnasium for the annual Signum Fidei Ceremony, which marked the start of a true leadership role at CBA and the presentation of their customized necktie.

Latin for “Sign of Faith,” Signum Fidei is a phrase that has long been part of both the De La Salle Brothers’ congregation seal, as well as the CBA school crest. The necktie serves as the juniors’ “sign of faith” that they will finish their final two years at the Academy strong. It is a ceremony that symbolizes a transition for these Academy men to both upperclassmen and role models for the younger students.

These 200+ students, who entered as freshmen boys in the fall of 2023, have demonstrated the desire to graduate as Academy men in the spring of 2027.

There may not be a high school tradition in the nation better than the Heath Freshman Run, which kicked off the Freshman Welcome Day activities on September 5.

Since CBA's very first class, each freshman has journeyed around the 1.3-mile cross country course, bringing together new classmates for a common purpose. Over 260 young men raced through campus, setting the stage for a CBA career that will be legendary - just like the Heath Freshman Run.

It is truly one of the most unique high school traditions around and was a perfect way to wrap up an exciting first week for our freshmen. Dominic Moscatello etched his name in the history books by becoming the 66th champion.

Welcome Day featured the now-annual school photo at Keane Field. The photo demonstrates the unity and brotherhood that will be a common theme throughout the school year.