Senior Sunrise is a relatively new but highly anticipated senior ritual. Seniors anticipated a sunrise similar to last year: sitting on a blanket on Pickert Field, watching the sky, painted with red and pink hues, while sharing memories with their classmates before embarking on their last year together. Well, this wasn’t exactly the case for this year’s Senior Sunrise. But if there is one thing the class of 2025 has learned during its years together, it is how to adjust when things don’t go as expected.
With an eye on the forecast and rain from previous days, the Community Council wondered if this event would be a total flop. However, the Community Council maintained hope and continued planning for the morning. HPA members and families, such as the Mook Family, brought in treats like fruit, pastries, and beverages. Community Council funded coffee and hot chocolate from Dunkin’ Donuts.
Community Council’s fears were quickly alleviated when students began to roll in by the minute in their comfy pajamas and blankets at around 6:15 a.m. on September 27th. The students were welcomed by faculty members such as the Senior Class Dean Brigid Moriarty, the Community Council Advisor Jon Gruenberg, and English Teacher Michael Canterino, and his cute dog, Arlo.
The energy was high as music played and students gathered together, talking to each other about their mornings and excitement for senior year.
The rain made it tricky to sit on the turf with their blankets, so students stood around the tables listening to music, enjoying breakfast, and mingling with their classmates. Students also took advantage of the photo opportunities, such as a frame made by Community Council Secretary and Treasurer Mika Nuzum.
Senior community council members Mika Nuzum, Hailey Won, Meredith Lee, Jack Magidson, Rafael Castro, and Phillip Mahamedi gather together with a cut-out for taking photo-ops at the sunrise. Council organized the event down to location, food, funding, date, and music. Council also received the help of HPA (Hackley Parents Association) families for providing food.
To add to the festive mood, the day of Senior Sunrise happened to also be Dean Moriarty’s birthday! The students found an opportunity to express their gratitude for their dean when she gathered everyone together for a photo. As Ms. Moriarty counted down, the students sang her “Happy Birthday.”
Ms. Moriarty felt her awe and gratitude toward her class.
“It was a heartwarming and unexpected surprise! But not that surprising, I suppose, since the gesture characterized everything I know to be true about the Class of 2025 — that they are one of the most caring and thoughtful groups of students I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” she said.
Apart from the few jokes made about the lack of a real “sunrise,” it seemed that the students’ moods and excitement weren’t dampened by the rain and clouds.
“I was worried about it being boring since the forecast seemed to be cloudy, but it was actually an exciting opportunity to bond with my classmates,” said senior Emma Friedberg.
