A Bright Senior Gloomrise
Photography by Aekagra Sondhi
An annual tradition at Culver City High School and other schools across the United States is Senior Sunrise, a bonding event for the graduating class to begin the year. On Wednesday, the 17th of September, CCHS seniors arrived at the Jerry Chabola Football Field at 6:20 AM to watch the sunrise.
Ironically, the sunrise was hardly sunny, according to seniors present, with overcast skies and a temperature in the mid-sixties. Seniors Ruby Escobar and Simone Kuter joked that the sun did not rise at all. Still, according to attendees, the view was pretty.
Seniors relived elementary school magic together by going under a large rainbow parachute, playing spikeball, throwing around a frisbee, posing for photos with props, and passing around soccer balls and footballs. The parachute was extremely popular, hitting seniors with nostalgia, as many had not experienced that activity since middle school or earlier, said senior Una Finn.
Bonding is a major goal of this event, but many seniors felt there was room for improvement. Several attendees noticed some cliquiness of the gathering, with many students bringing food for only their group, socializing only between friends, or leaving early.
Other comments focused on how the rest of the day unfolded. After a very early morning, students had to return to attend the entire school day, which at least was a shortened Wednesday schedule. Nonetheless, Kuter and Finn said that teachers teased seniors about their drowsiness.
Ultimately, students were thankful for an opportunity to be recognized and socialize. Even those who would not describe themselves as morning people were happy to have attended.
Photography by Aekagra Sondhi