Photo credit: Uma Nambiar

Seniors Eden Sinclair, Charlie Clayton, Phoebe Ramirez and Alina Williams smile for a picture at the beach. Senior Sunrise took place this past Saturday at Will Rogers Beach from 6-7:30 a.m. 

Phone alarms went off early Saturday, Aug. 31, for the Class of 2025 as they woke up and prepared for the annual Senior Sunrise at Will Rogers State Beach.

For seniors, this year is often a time consumed by college applications, nostalgia and heavy courseloads. However, 12th grade is also intertwined with senior-specific traditions, such as Senior Sunrise. This event is not Archer-affiliated, but a tradition led by seniors.

Twelfth grade class representative Hayden Seid planned Senior Sunrise along with fellow representatives Sophia Calne and Maddie Beaubaire. Seid reflected on the process of planning the event.

“Planning the Senior Sunrise is really exciting because it’s the start of all these beloved traditions,” Seid said. “I’m excited for us to get to have that bonding experience. It’s great because it’s a really special time when you’re a senior, and these activities help us get closer.”

As almost all the seniors arrived at the beach at 6 a.m., a cart full of orange juice, bagels, donuts and tea greeted them. Then, students took pictures with each other along the shoreline and jetty. Two handmade posters, one with the lettering “Senior Sunrise” in cardboard bubble letters, and the other with the Class of 2025’s slogan, “Let’s Drive, 2025!”, were passed around as photo props. Kate Hanney (’25) said she enjoyed hanging out with her friends and taking photos.

“We walked down to the water and took some digital photos, and then we all sat next to each other on the blankets, and it was really fun and cute,” Hanney said.

Equipped with sweatshirts, swimsuits and digital cameras, the Class of 2025 gathered on the sand to talk and reminisce about their high school experiences as the sky turned from grey to pink.

“I liked when everyone was sitting down on the ground all together, and we all were in one area as a grade,” Hanney said. “I like to see all the grade in a place that’s not at school. It makes me feel more connected to the grade and the students.”

While seniors chatted on the ground, sat on blankets and listened to music, the wind blew and the waves were lapped on the cold sand. Goldie Bronson (’25) said she appreciated being in nature with her peers, and she felt the event was a beautiful start to a year filled with college stress.

“I felt like we were all sort of on the same path and on the same journey. It was very bonding,” Bronson said. “My favorite part was just being with everyone and taking photos and just enjoying the view because it felt like the beginning of a year that I know is going to be amazing, but also pretty hectic and crazy with college.”