Mark Umansky / SPPSThe Class of 2010 Ring Committee put on a fireworks show yesterday evening.

Events throughout the night included a raffle for an iPod Touch and a video demonstration about how the committee developed the ring and why each part was put on it. Fireworks on the Drillfield concluded this event around 8 p.m.

Political science major Cameron Smith, co-director of special events, said each part of the ring commemorated events and memories special to the class of 2010.

"It's one of Tech's longest traditions and sets Tech apart from other universities," Smith said. "We're one of three schools our size that redesigns our rings every year. It makes the ring you have unique to your class because no others are the same."

The video aims to illustrate the reasoning behind the design.

"The video is going to place each item on the ring individually so people can see what's going on the ring and what it means," Smith said.

The ring tradition dates back to 1912 when the Class of 1914 formed the first student Ring Committee. This committee was in charge of creatively designing a ring unique to its class. Every year, the sophomore class is in charge of appointing a Ring Committee.

Communication major Carlin Conaway, ring design committee member, explained how their particular class designed their ring.

"We literally started from scratch with a piece of paper and a ring on it that was blank," Conaway said. "Each member brainstormed and drew pictures of what they thought would represent the Class of 2010 on the ring. We didn't want to be like any other class and wanted to have our own identifying elements. After we collaborated and decided what would go at the top, middle, and bottom."

"Usually there will be a school and some kind of Latin motto goes on part of the ring. Our ring namesake, G. Truman Ward, graduated in 1949 as an architecture major," Conaway said. "G. Truman Ward designed several buildings including the Merryman Athletic Center."

The Ring Committee also decided to put their class motto on the ring, "with the strength of many, we serve as one."

The ring traditionally has a university side that has elements that have been on the ring since it was first designed, Smith said. The unveiling of the ring was seen toward the end of the actual premiere, and was shown on the two projection screens in the auditorium.

Burruss Hall is in the center with the eight pylons surrounding the building, and above the screaming eagle can be seen. On the right side of the wings is the Commonwealth of Virginia flag, while the American flag is on the left. The school's motto, 'Ut Prosim', is above the flags. Below Burruss is the April 16 memorial and 'We are Virginia Tech' is written. The school's date of establishment, 1872 is also included with the Skipper cannon, flaming VT and Holtzman Alumni Center.

The first section of the ring, the top, has an overall Hokie aspect.

"The Hokie Bird is an identifying aspect of Tech," Conaway said. "There are also a bunch of downtown buildings that are surrounding the Hokie bird. The background is the Appalachia mountains -- all elements that our class will remember of their times here at Virginia Tech."

The Hokie bird also has a remembrance ribbon and one of the buildings in downtown Blacksburg has 'Beat UVA' written along the side. Up in the sky there are eight stars to represent the eight students from their class who were lost and will never be forgotten on April 16th.

The middle section includes aspects from athletic events at Tech. "The North End Zone of Lane Stadium is what everyone thinks of when you think of going to football games," Conaway said. "Cassell Coliseum and other sports aspects are on the ring that capture sports teams' success."

Above the North End Zone section, "ACC" is written with the fighting gobbler to its right. Above that is the engineering school, and below the field is the Class of 2010's motto in Latin. Cassell Coliseum is also on the ring, and next to the North End Zone. Scattered around the field is a soccer ball, basketball, and softball.

The bottom section includes different parts of campus and landscapes that the Ring Committee felt encompassed the Class of 2010; it will showcase the Cascades, Drillfield and Duckpond, Conaway said. The right side has the gazebo from the Duckpond, and the Drillfield is in the center. On the far left are the Cascades with the Class of 2010's logo etched into the stone.

Many of the juniors were incredibly happy with the results of the rings. Biology major Justin Beckett was impressed with the rings. "I thought the rings were really symbolic and meaningful to our class with what we have encountered so far," Beckett said.

Art major Cheri Hawkins was also very impressed and anxious to purchase her ring. "It's really emotional to know that we are part of the tradition. They put in a lot of really important stuff and everything was relevant. They worked well with their space," Hawkins said.

Balfour Company from Texas is manufacturing the rings for the Class of 2010 and has had representatives working directly with the Ring Committee.

"The rings have lots of tradition that only Tech students would understand ... I wasn't sure about getting a ring but now I want to get one, and I can't wait to show it to people," Hawkins said.