Photo courtesy of Emily MacIntyre ’27
On Thursday, October 29, the Class of 2027 celebrated the dawn of their final year with the annual tradition, Senior Sunrise.
Senior Sunrise is an event that takes place at the beginning of each school year on a Fall morning in October at the football field, and invitations are extended to the senior class only. While there, the class collects to watch the sunrise, and takes the opportunity to settle for a moment and embrace their peers. It marks the official launch of the final lap of high school, turning the page from underclassman to graduating senior. It symbolizes unity and new beginnings while also stirring nostalgic memories for the class who have spent so much time together. It also stands as a chance for low-pressure bonding, and a collective memory in the minds of the seniors as they engage together in their final year.
After arriving as early as 6:45 AM and waiting on the football turf for the sun to rise, the seniors, clad in their best pajamas, were granted a beautifully colored scene, eliciting a sense of reflection from those in attendance. Trevor Cantlin ’27 details this emotional response, saying “[It] represents a moment to take a second to realize that, ‘we are seniors now.’” He describes the rising sun as a shift from something that happens everyday into something meaningful and representative of a fresh start.
Beyond watching the sunrise, the event also included breakfast sandwiches made by Grill Club members Shepherd Buccini ’27, and Hunter West ’27, and Quinn Hickey ’27 further contributing to the community atmosphere. Marietta Hartman ’27 elaborates, saying “It brings everyone together… Everyone really wants to go, and it puts them in a good spirit.”
VI Form Dean Ryan Klein ’09 has loved watching his class grow for three years, and has acted as a pillar of support and trust for these students. His relationship with the grade is strong, and he describes what this event means for him, saying “We often get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget sometimes that they’re still kids and should have opportunities to just enjoy being together.”