Just the first in a line of senior traditions, this year’s Senior Sunrise event will take place on Friday, Sept. 5, at Pleasant Grove. Students are expected to arrive at 6:15 a.m. to be able to watch the sun rise at 6:45 a.m. This gives them enough time to set up their trunks, take pictures, or do whatever else they need to get comfortable to watch the sky turn pink.
For the class of 2026, the beginning of this school year was more than just getting new classes; it meant experiencing many of their “last firsts,” such as the last first day of school or the last first football game. Each moment can hold a deeper significance as they reflect on how far they have come. These are also reminders that the countdown to graduation is in full swing.
For some, Senior Sunrise is symbolic of the transition seniors will make from being high school students to experiencing adulthood. Typically, students open their trunks and lay out blankets or lawn chairs so that they can interact with others and share their car space. In the past, students have also made homemade posters and paper picture frames to take unique photos with their friends.
“I am most looking forward to the pictures. I want to capture those memories and put them in a photobook so I can always look back and remember the special moments from my senior year,” said senior Samantha Killmeyer.
Beyond providing a natural “photobooth,” Senior Sunrise also offers a chance to breathe amidst the hectic schedule of the senior class. Some seniors have said they have a heavy workload this year with college applications, AP and dual enrollment classes, SATs, and scholarships. In response, student leaders create events like this to allow seniors to relax, connect, and celebrate the moment they have been working toward for the past three years.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our grade come together at senior sunrise. It truly is a special tradition that reminds us to live in the moment,” said Senior Class President Natalie Gomez.
For many, Senior Sunrise may be the first time they truly feel like they are seniors. To everyone else, these traditions may seem like casual events, but to seniors, the event can represent an important milestone that brings the class together and highlights the accomplishments of their final ride. As the first of many senior traditions, such as Homecoming, senior trips, Decision Day, cap and gown pictures, and eventually, graduation, Senior Sunrise marks the beginning of the final chapter of high school.
