By: Sophia Feldman and Mahira Rahman

  When the sun rises at MRHS, at the beginning of each school year, the class of 2026 prepares for a special early morning. Having the Senior Sunrise located in the parking lot, the well-beloved MRHS seniors gather before dawn on an early Friday morning. This long-standing Mustang tradition marks the beginning of the end in bittersweet unity.

   “I painted on my jeans with my friends…we bought them together and painted them as well. We made a lot of memories, and I hope to make more at every senior event,” senior Siri Makam commented.

   To prepare for the event, students do numerous activities and crafts to make the event even more special. Painting jeans together is a symbol of friendship and school spirit, creating the excitement of stepping into senior year. For many students, small traditions like these help make the year feel more meaningful and memorable. 

   “I set several alarms, each separated by five minutes, but I woke up to the first one because I was so excited for the event,” senior Grayson Nealis shared.

   Some students are concerned about the early time, whereas others are fueled by the motivation to participate in the fun activity. For seniors, the thrill of sharing their first senior activity is more important than simply getting up early. The community is enhanced by the calm background music, the laughter of friends curled up in blankets, and the conversations as everyone waits for the sun to rise. Despite the grogginess, many students see the occasion as a memory worth sacrificing a few hours of sleep for.

   “My friends and I played spike ball and overall had a great time together watching the sun rise,” senior Shawn Kim exclaimed. 

   While the main purpose of the event was for the seniors to watch the sunrise together, some took the opportunity to enjoy other activities as well. Kim, for instance, enjoyed moving around during the game of spike ball while the girls took photos together. Many even brought digital and professional cameras to maximize the quality of the experience. 

   Amongst the chaperones, many teachers joined in photos with students to commemorate classroom memories.

   “I always love chaperoning [senior sunrise] because I like seeing the painted jeans and energy to start the school year. It was really fun having it in the stadium this year because you actually watched the sunrise. I got to take photos with my favorite students, and I photo-bombed a group of students taking a photo with Ms. Jenkins and Mrs. Rossbach,” Social Studies and Sociology teacher Ms. Costabile stated.

   Many truly appreciate the abundance of senior activities and the future to come. Satisfaction levels are high when both the school administration and student body work together to continue a beautiful tradition. By appreciating the beauty of the sunrise, the school can unite as one.