Hannabrianna Roundtree-Littles

The sun peeking through the horizon, welcoming the senior class of 2026

On the morning of Friday August 15th, Seminole High students gathered at our football field with blankets and breakfast in hand for their first senior event of the 2025 – 2026 school year! 

Senior sunrise is a long-standing tradition at Seminole symbolizing the beginning of the graduating class’s senior year. 

The gates opened early, while it was still dark out, at 6:15 AM. All seniors were welcomed with snacks that the senior class council had waiting for them. As the sun rose and the sky brightened, groups of friends found each other and began setting up on the football field. Some groups had decorated poster boards while others lined up for group photos. Some students even brought props like decorated sunglasses and senior crowns. 

This year’s event wasn’t without a small surprise, though. When seniors first arrived, the sprinklers were still running on the field, forcing everyone to set up along the track instead. 

Luis Villalobos, a Health Academy student and the SHS Senior Class President, shares his thoughts on planning the event: “We definitely didn’t expect the sprinklers to be on that morning, so we had to adapt and let everyone stay on the track. Senior class council did an amazing job in working together before the event so there weren’t any serious issues.”

Despite the unexpected adjustment, the shift in seating didn’t take away from the excitement. Students gathered in circles, swapping snacks, snapping pictures, and talking as the sky changed from dark blue to bright orange. The energy on the track matched the symbolic spirit of the tradition- coming together as a class to make memories, no matter the circumstances.

The senior sunrise marked the first in a long list of traditions for the Class of 2026. Later this year, seniors will celebrate other major milestones like Grad Bash, prom, and finally senior sunset, which will bring the class together again in May to close out their high school journey under the setting sun.

Let’s have a great senior year, Noles!