Every high school has its traditions, but one of the most cherished at Foran is the senior sunrise. For the senior girls, it’s more than just an event, it marks their final chapter in high school.
While some may not know the meaning behind it, senior sunrise is a time when girls who have grown up together watch the sunrise. It marks not only the start of a new day but also the beginning of their senior year, a year filled with excitement and reflection.
This year’s senior sunrise took place on August 28, following the first day of school. The girls started off the day meeting at Woodmont Beach at 6 a.m. just before the sunrise. As the sky brightened, so did the sense of excitement for the year ahead. Sixty senior girls took part, out of 89 girls in the senior class. The girls walked away from the experience almost an hour later, walking into school before the bell rang, many with a renewed sense of anticipation for what is to come.
“My favorite part of senior sunrise was seeing all of the girls come together for a morning to be kind, have fun and make final memories. It was almost a bittersweet feeling,” senior Alana Duguay shared.
On July 30, girls chose the colors of the t-shirts with three options, mint green, light blue and pink, followed by three designs for the front and back of the t-shirts to choose from.
Dressed in matching pink t-shirts that symbolized both girlhood and growing up together, the girls took photos to forever capture their first day of senior year. The atmosphere was filled with both nostalgia and excitement for the future.
“It gave the school year a new excitement,” said senior Ava Jaquez.
As the sun rose high filling the sky with pink and blue, the girls talked about how beautiful the morning sky looked and appeared to be in awe of the huge sun that glowed pink and red. In their final group photo, it was clear how important this moment was. One senior said later that she was thinking about how senior year isn’t just about the academics, it’s about the friendships, the shared laughs, the inside jokes, and the memories that will last long after graduation.
As the girls gathered together to look at the glowing sun, they talked about how much high school meant to them. They laughed about all the little moments that felt so small back then, but now mean everything. It was a day to see the journey differently, to be proud of who they’ve become and how far they’ve come. It was a day that was all about strength, love, and happiness, and all those emotions could be seen on their faces.
“It was a very memorable and exciting way to start the new year. It made me realize that this was my last year with all of my friends. It was a very special day,” said senior Sophie Hofmeister.
