Atop of Gasworks Park stands over 100 high school seniors. Normally, this sight would not be out of the ordinary, teens playing football, soaking in the sun, and enjoying each other’s company; but this time, these teens are out of the house by 5 in the morning, gathering together before the sun is even out. 

Why are these Bishop Blanchet student’s up, even before the sun is? 

This past Tuesday, the incoming senior class congregated at Gas Works park in Seattle to watch the sunrise with their classmates, honoring the “senior sunrise” tradition by watching together as the sun comes up over the lake, just before their first day of school. 

“Being with my best friends to kick off the start of senior year made the wake up call worth it”, says Molly Eland, a senior who attended the event. 

The late summer sunrise was scheduled for 6 am, meaning many students who have a longer commute to the Seattle area had to wake up as early at 4:30 in order to catch the show. Although this may have created some exhaustion for these students as they carry along their school day and go to all of their new classes, the consensus of the Senior class was that it was a fair trade for the uniting experience. 

“Having our whole class together and making memories with photos and conversations was definitely my favorite part of the morning,” says Ella Samonte, ‘25. As she thinks about graduation and college, she tries her hardest to take advantage of the time she has left with her fellow classmates. 

“We’re doing everything for the first and the last time, but we get to do it together.”