Stockton- On Friday, August 23rd, most of the seniors at Lincoln High School arrived at school earlier than they ever had before, between 5:00-5:30 A.M. Although most would never want to be at school this early, for events such as Senior Sunrise, the Class of 2025 woke up and showed up. Whether in pajamas or the newly trending DIY senior pants, the students were ready. At Senior Sunrise, everywhere you looked on the football field, you could see someone smiling or taking a picture to remember this special event.
Senior Sunrise is a tradition for every senior class and is organized by most schools. It allowed the Class of 2025 to cherish each other and their community at Lincoln High School. It seemed to be a memorable event for everyone who attended and participated in the mini-games set up on the field. Though it was cold, many seniors brought blankets to lay on and keep warm. This event is a success every year and helps start off senior year on a positive note.
Several positive elements contributed to the success of Senior Sunrise, such as the Class of 2025’s participation, a photo booth, doughnuts, music, games, and a few props to pose with. To highlight how this event impacts seniors, here are the words of some senior interviewees who attended:
Angel Bravo was asked, “What does Senior Sunrise mean to you?” He responded, “It’s mostly just going out with friends and spending the morning together by messing around and hanging out.” Angel enjoyed this event because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Adonis Tyler was asked, “What events are you excited for this year that are designated for seniors?” His reply included, “Prom—I guess it’s not designated for seniors, but it’s cool. Also, the football games because the seniors run the football games and I like all the cool spirit gear.” He enjoyed Senior Sunrise because he could see everyone smiling and having a good time with friends.
Jayla Nochatzer was asked, “How has your senior year been so far?” She responded, “It’s been kind of stressful because I have been trying to pick out colleges, but at the same time, you don’t get to do this kind of stuff in the other three years, so it makes it fun.” Jayla is planning for her future after high school and feels the weight of it, like most seniors. However, she still enjoys little events like Senior Sunrise that make this year significantly memorable.
Finally Tatyana Wong was asked, “Does Senior Sunrise bring a positive start and motivation to senior year?” She answered, “I don’t think it motivates me because I have a lot of homework to do right now as I’m speaking, but I think it kicks off a good start to our year for sure.”
After hearing from some seniors about this event and what they are looking forward to this year, it is clear that Senior Sunrise was a successful event among seniors. Although it was very early in the morning, leaving many seniors who attended quite tired, many enjoyed their time and considered the exhaustion worth it. Senior Sunrise is a longstanding tradition that fosters a sense of community and provides a positive start to the year.