Seniors arrived bright and early for Senior Sunrise on Friday. Despite the cloudy morning, well over 100 students gathered with friends at 5:45 a.m. to enjoy doughnuts, drink coffee, and take photos on the soccer field.
In addition to providing doughnuts and coffee, Senior Class Presidents Lila Weber and Avery Williams shared a soundtrack through portable speakers, playing songs like “Ribs” by Lorde and “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog.
In prior years, Senior Sunrise has taken place in the parking lot or on the football field. Though Weber and Williams originally planned to hold the event in the parking lot, they moved it to the more expansive soccer field instead. “We wanted everybody to have the opportunity to come sit together and not just be crowded up in their cars,” Weber said.
The change of scenery helped bolster a sense of community, as many students remarked that their highlight was bonding with friends and classmates. “It’s just great to have our whole class together and just make memories together,” senior Addy Moeller said. Students clustered around picnic blankets to relax, but most didn’t remain rooted to their spots, instead choosing to walk around and connect with other groups.
Senior Spencer Harding brought a portable griddle and cooked pancakes for his peers throughout the entire event. “I brought the pancake griddle mostly for fun, but I realized it also helped me connect with my friends and peers more. We all were able to bond over making the batter and cooking them together. Especially because it was a sad sunrise, I’m glad we had something positive to keep us occupied,” he said.
As the first of many senior traditions this year, students shared mixed feelings as they thought ahead about their last year at M-A. “To be honest, I’m a little scared, just because I don’t know what’s gonna be in the future for me. But I’m also excited because it’s my last year, and I’d finally be done with school,” senior Skarlette Pech said.
Even through gloomy weather, Senior Sunrise was a success in kicking off the new school year and the variety of class events to come.
