The Class of 2026 traded alarm clocks for ocean waves on Monday, August 11, 2025, as they gathered at Sunset Beach in Seal Beach, CA, for the annual Senior Sunrise. Beginning at 5:00 a.m., students staked their claim on the sand with blankets, beach chairs, and thermoses of caffeine to welcome their final first day of high school together.
Senior Sunrise is a rite of passage. As the sun rose illuminating the shoreline of Seal Beach, seniors reflected on the year ahead. Some set their toes into the cool water, others settled in the sand to soak in the moment.
At 6:30 a.m., the class gathered together for the first official Class of 2026 group photo.
Senior Jacqueline Rose Terucha, who attended with friends, summed up the occasion perfectly: “My time at Senior Sunrise was fun! It was a great excuse to leave the house and spend quality time with friends while also enjoying the beach and sun. It wasn’t that cold, so we were all able to dip our feet into the water, which was peaceful.”
For many, the morning was a reminder to balance senior-year responsibilities with moments that make high school memorable. College applications, AP classes, and final credits will soon dominate their schedules, but in this moment the Class of 2026 could simply enjoy each other and the calm before the academic storm.
Senior Sunrise marks the start of their journey together toward graduation. And when the year ends, they’ll meet again, same class, yet changed people with many more experiences under a different sky, for the Senior Sunset. Then they will close the chapter on what they hope will be an amazing final year.