Ashwini Bandi and Addison Cox

   Long before the first morning bell rang through the halls of Marriotts Ridge, the senior Class of 2027 gathered at Dunkin’ Donuts to claim their boxes of donuts and coffee, hustling through the doors to get to the dew-damp fields of Marriotts Ridge before sunrise. They huddled around their picnic blankets, watching the horizon crack open with light and awaiting the beautiful chaos of their senior year to unfold.

   Despite an early rain scare that threatened to wash out the morning, the weather held off long enough to let the senior class enjoy the festivities. Though the damp turf from the downpour of the morning soaked the bottom of senior Mustangs’ painted jeans, it was not nearly enough to dampen their excitement.  

   “It was a really good experience, especially for the first big senior event. I really liked taking pictures with my friends and meeting everyone in the grade,” senior Alexis Lee commented.  

   As Lee mentioned, the sunrise served as a moment of unity among the senior class. The first of many lasts, they gathered to celebrate the kickoff of their senior year together. Spread across the field, many Mustangs mingled, ate breakfast, and listened to music together, symbolizing the beginning of a great year for the Class of 2027. 

   Much of the event’s success can be credited to the organizational efforts of the 2027 Class Council. Working tirelessly to make the morning a memorable moment for the senior class, Class Council created a beautiful senior sunrise photo frame, the subject of many captured memories that will continue to pop up on Instagram feeds for the next week. 

  Students were also grateful that the milestone came at no cost. “I really like that the event was free; it made it accessible to everyone, especially because senior year can get so expensive,” senior Nandana Boppana stated.

  With the financial stress of college applications, the occasional Starbucks runs, and other expenses that accompany the road to graduation, a free Senior Sunrise came as a welcome relief for many seniors.

  As the morning came to an end, many seniors were disappointed to let the first event of the year pass by, reminding the Class of 2027 just how quickly the year could pass. However, seniors were already looking ahead to what comes next.

  “It has hit me that I am a senior! The end of [Senior Sunrise] didn’t make me sad; it made me more excited for events like the Senior Crab Feast that are to come,” Lee mentioned.

  “Ditto,” senior Isha Netla added. 

   As Senior Sunrise came to a bittersweet end, the senior Class of 2027 went home to look at the memories they photographed that morning. While Senior Sunrise may be the latest picture on the cameras, it is certainly not the last memory they will capture.