Local Student Wins Wellesley College's 117-Year-Old Tradition

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Morgan McKinney '12 celebrates in Lake Waban

WELLESLEY, MA (04/27/2012)(readMedia)-- Morgan McKinney, a Wellesley College Senior from Plattsburgh, NY, was crowned this year's winner of a 117-year-old Wellesley tradition: Hoop Rolling.

Hoop Rolling, one of Wellesley's longest running traditions, began as part of a May Day celebration in 1895. From its origins as a May Day diversion, Hoop Rolling has become a Wellesley institution and is now held independently. One day each spring, seniors line up on Tupelo Lane and race each other rolling wooden hoops down the hill. Originally, the winner was said to be the first in her class who would marry, later the first to become a CEO, and now is said to be the first to achieve success however she defines it. For this reason, seniors take the tradition very seriously -- and McKinney certainly did.

McKinney spent the weeks leading up to Hoop Rolling preparing for the race. "I wanted to become one with my hoop. So I ate with it, slept with it and rolled it along to all my classes. I even practiced on the course itself several times in preparation." McKinney said she got strange looks when practicing hooping sometimes late into the night but, she said, "the practice proved to be well worth the embarrassment!"

McKinney crossed the finish line before her classmates and was crowned the victor. Then, as tradition dictates and in an act of celebration, her classmates carried her from the finish line to Wellesley's iconic Lake Waban and threw her in. McKinney took that in stride too, running out a few yards from shore to celebrate.

"Every senior will eventually have that moment where it finally hits her that her college experience is coming to an end. Winning hoop rolling was that moment for me," McKinney said.

McKinney is still working on her definition of success. She said she hopes to find balance between her career, hobbies, and family life, while having a positive impact on her community.

"Ultimately, I want to be happy and actually have the time to enjoy the aspects of life that are truly the most important," says McKinney.

McKinney will attend Syracuse University College of Law in the fall with plans to be a prosecutor. She says the thing she will miss most about Wellesley is the people. "I have met some of the most bright, tenacious, and dynamic women I have ever known during my time here at Wellesley. I have made friends I know I will keep for life."

Wellesley College

Since 1875, Wellesley College has been a leader in providing an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world. Its 500-acre campus near Boston is home to 2,400 undergraduate students from 50 states and 75 countries.