Very few things get high schoolers out of bed before 6:00 a.m., but the promise of Santiago’s burritos and making memories with friends is the exception.
On August 14th at 5:45 a.m., the Mead High School Class of 2026 gathered at the football field to celebrate the first day of their last year in high school. “Senior Sunrise” is a tradition at many high schools all over the country, where rising seniors gather to watch the sunrise before their first day.
Casey Carillo (‘26) advised freshmen, “Don’t try to spend your freshman year trying to be someone you’re not…Don’t try to act like you have everything when you don’t, you’re not going to go far like that.”
Most seniors are also excited for other traditions, such as kid backpacks. Leah Parmley (‘26) has been looking forward to this trend, getting her own Marvel backpack while keeping an eye out for a Ni Hao Kai-Lan backpack. Many other seniors have been seen sporting many themes including Monster High, Lego, and Disney Princesses.
At the event, the MHS Student Council provided food and drinks at a breakfast station that had Santiago’s burritos, donuts, and water. The early risers also got to participate in activities such as car painting, a photo booth table, and free “Class of 2026” t-shirts.
