On August 21, 2024, the WMC Student and Class of 2025 Council hosted the first official Senior Sunrise. All senior students were invited to the stadium field at 5:45 a.m. on the first day of school to marvel at what was an absolutely stunning sunrise, as well as take pictures with their peers to ring in the new school year. Many students then treated themselves to breakfast out before embarking upon their last first day of high school at 7:35 a.m.
In previous years, smaller groups of senior students had gathered at the school early in the morning to watch the sunrise on the first day; however it was never an official event. This year, the senior class officers wanted to not only ensure that they had the proper permissions to bring the event into fruition, but also grow it into something more inclusive and compelling.
Class of 2025 President Sarah DiGabriele played a critical role in the organization of Senior Sunrise. “As for the idea behind Senior Sunrise, it is a popular event for other high schools in our area,” DiGabriele explains. “However, this year the Class of 2025 Vice President, Elyse Cuccaro and I brought this idea to our class council advisors, as well as to Mr. Rymer to make it an official event.” The two exchanged countless emails back and forth with both building administrators and their class council advisors, as well as attended a preparatory meeting with Mr. Rymer in order to plan the most spectacular first Senior Sunrise.
Class of 2025 council advisor Ms. Harrington was also an especially helpful liaison throughout the planning and preparation process.
“Once the leaders came to me with their idea, I was just a facilitator of communication with Mr. Rymer and the rest of the administration,” says Ms. Harrington. “It was really the work of the senior class leaders, and I just supported them throughout the process.”
With nearly 70 students in attendance and an astonishingly golden sunrise over the stadium field, Senior Sunrise was absolutely picturesque. Most important to note, however, is the positive tone that the event set for not only the first day of school, but also for the rest of the year. “It had a very good vibe,” recalls Harrington. “I felt like everyone started the day with a happy attitude, happy to be together, and I think that it is going to kick off the year for a lot of other events that will be coming together.”
The fun doesn’t stop here! The WMC Student and Class Councils have a multitude of exhilarating events planned for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. This year’s Homecoming Spirit Week is fast-approaching, along with the annual Homecoming football game on Friday, October 4th, and the Homecoming dance on Saturday, October 5th. Given that Senior Sunrise was such a profound success, the councils are also looking to host a Senior Sunset at the end of the school year with possibly a bonfire, a barbeque, and some live music.
The first official Senior Sunrise was an undoubtedly vast accomplishment for the WMC Student and Class of 2025 councils, and will hopefully become a greater senior tradition in years to come. “I hope that the tradition of Senior Sunrise continues throughout the years at WMC,” expresses DiGabriele. “It is such a simple event, yet so important to the senior class.
