Friday, September 5th, Osbourn seniors celebrated the sunrise, bright and early at 6 o’clock in the morning. Seniors filled the football field with blankets, pillows, food, and plenty of excitement as they watched the sun rise together, symbolizing the start of the last year of high school. It might’ve been early, but seniors were excited and ready to celebrate the friendships and experiences that have shaped their journey to this point. Friends gathered in groups, sharing laughter and stories while making new connections with classmates they had and hadn’t met before. 

“I used to see school as only academic in the past,” said senior Marshall Bassam, “ but I realized it’s also the people we grew up with here.”

For many seniors, the morning had been something they’d looked forward to since their very first days of high school. “My friend and I wanted to attend because we want to experience our last year,” said Jayla Tibbs. “We’ve been waiting since freshman year, and now the year has finally come.” 

Senior Sunrise is a tradition at Osbourn and many other high schools across the country. It gives students a symbolic “first day” moment before all the chaos of senior year really sets in. “Everything is final, and after this, it’s gone,” said Ashley Lucero. “So it’s a nice tradition to remember.”

Of course, it wasn’t just about watching the sky change colors. Students showed up with food, props, and creative setups. Zander Andres came prepared: “I brought a frame for photos, some fabric to lie on, breakfast donuts, and lemonade from Dunkin’ Donuts.”

“I’ve brought a poster that my friends and I decorated,” said Beyoncé Amaya, demonstrating her creativity and school spirit. “I brought a poster, Katerin, Yoli, and I made,” said Kaylene Lopez.

Ashley Lucero and Jayla Tibbs kept it simple, stating, “We brought a pillow, a blanket, us, and our vibe.”

“I brought chocolate-covered strawberries,” said Diana Loliva. Delicious homemade treats were shared, and fast food was brought for friend groups, too.  Lesly Sanchez brought Chick-fil-A for her and her friends to share.

No matter how they showed up, everyone had the same thing on their mind: graduation. “I’m most excited to graduate,” said Carlos Martinez, who plans to pursue dental hygiene. “Even though it’s competitive, I’ll still try my best.”

Others spoke about their dreams as well. “I plan on going to college and studying something in engineering,” said Mark Dzaba, who also added, “I want to spend the rest of our year doing whatever I can, taking opportunities as they come. I want to make it grand!” 

Students in the Class of 2026 also see themselves as a little different from past groups. Their middle school years were marked by pandemic disruptions, making their path to senior year feel anything but normal. “Class of 2026 is special because our first real middle school year was our last year,” said Jayla Tibbs.

Zander Andres put it another way: “We’re just the best, really. We’re just like any other graduating class, but the people I know are really chill.”

The event wasn’t just about looking ahead, though— it was also a chance to look back. “I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m grateful to see how far I’ve come now,” said Ava Grigsby, reflecting on her journey. Dzaba admitted the milestone made him feel both proud and a little nostalgic. “Well, senior events make me feel very old,” he joked. “But it’s made me realize that while nothing is forever, you can still cherish the moment. You can still look back on your high school years and think that high school was actually really good.”

Some seniors dressed in pajamas, while others showed their fashion sense. Many girls planned and matched outfits together, like Kaylene Lopez, Beyoncé Amaya, and Ashley Fabian Flores. They wore a white shirt with pink Hollister sweatpants that said “senior” on the back.

This senior sunrise for the Class of 2026 was an unforgettable experience filled with excitement and joy. Despite the chilly morning air, seniors arrived with thrilled energy and excitement, very eager to celebrate this special moment together.

Senior Sunrise was a powerful reminder of how close the seniors are to achieving their goal of graduating, with memories they are building as they embark on this exciting chapter of their lives. The smiles, the cheers, and the sense of togetherness made this senior sunrise a perfect start to their final year. The meaning of the event was clear: the countdown to graduation has officially begun.

Did YOU go to Senior Sunrise? Tell us about your experience in the comments!