As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon and spread its soft warmth across the park, the Gabrielino senior class gathered for one of the most cherished traditions: Senior Sunrise, kicking off the start of their final year of high school.
Students huddled together on patterned blankets in their comfiest clothes, exchanging tired yawns, knowing that on any other morning, they’d be sound asleep.
“We can see the sunrise any day, but this time it’s different,” noted senior Kyle Tang with a smile. “It’s time for the sun to rise upon a good year; this year is a good year.”
While people darted from group to group, snapping photos with their friends on disposable cameras and enjoying the mouth-watering spread of doughnuts and bagels laid out by ASB, others thought back to everything that had led up to that moment. “It was very bittersweet,” reflected senior Amanda Lee. “I feel happy that this is my last year, but I’ve spent four years at Gabrielino; I still feel a little attachment to it.”
The sun began to rise; its light peeked through tree branches, and the clouds swirled in white, milky puffs against the soft orange and pink hues of the morning. Some students ran to the playground, climbing and swinging around like carefree kids, while others lingered, watching the sky gradually brighten. In facing the new challenges of becoming adults and preparing for the future, there was comfort in the simple things—like watching the sunrise.
There was a unanimous agreement on the uncanny feeling of standing on the edge of their high school experience, both excited for the future and nostalgic for the past.
“Half of me thinks it’s not real, and the other half of me is like, ‘Woo!’” exclaimed senior Kara Mak. “I’m looking around, seeing people I haven’t seen since elementary school, and I’m like, wow, this is really strange.”
For ASB President Jesus Gonzales and Senior Class President Amanda Wang, the gathering was about more than just watching the sunrise. It was an opportunity to look back at their roles as leaders and witness all the event’s details and planning come together.
“I don’t know how to put it in words. It’s just like seeing everyone happy gives me joy—that’s everything,” Gonzales thoughtfully expressed.
Despite the early hour, the emotions in the air ranged from exhaustion to excitement.
“I’m tired like I just rolled out of bed,” Sofia Villagra joked, sharing the sentiment of many other non-morning people.
As the sun climbed into the sky, students found themselves feeling the weight of it more deeply than others.
“It’s a weird, weird feeling,” admitted senior Brandon Vuong, encapsulating the mix of emotions that comes with realizing graduation is only months away.
Amidst the stress of college applications and thoughts of the unpredictable future, time seemed to slow as the entire class sat together, watching the sun ascend. It was a moment of stillness and togetherness, a reminder that even as the world changes around them, some things remain the same.
Morning light filled the park, students began to leave; driving themselves home or heading to breakfast with friends. Some even ran back to the swings, holding onto the last moments of childhood before fully stepping into the next chapter of their lives. Despite being scattered across blankets, for that morning, they were all united as the Class of 2025 Eagles.
