Wake up, wake up! Seniors, it’s your last year of being a Bulldog. That means upperclassmen privileges, fewer classes, and a whole lot more fun. Special events are created by Palisade’s Student Council (StuCo) to foster a tight knit community within the Senior class. One of these exciting events is Senior Sunrise, which occurred on August 11th.
Senior Sunrise allows friends to reunite after a long summer and soak up their last ‘firsts’ of the new school year. Starting super early at 5:45 a.m., students brought blankets, digital cameras, decorated jeans and sweatshirts, and of course, their Senior smiles. The south field was packed with all different kinds of friend groups, from IB students to the football team. Senior Katalyne Hean notes, “We all realize it’s our last year together which forces us to be a community, not just in school but outside of it as well.” Senior Regyn Coolbaugh adds, “Bringing people together forces a community.” Senior year is all about coming together and this event definitely succeeded in that.
StuCo generously provided breakfast as well. Students munched on yummy pastries and drank orange or apple juice, and coffee. Additionally, StuCo created colorful signs and picture frames for students to pose with in order to capture their memorable morning. Some read ‘Smile, You’re a Senior’ and ‘Class of 2026’. Hean comments, “I had a lot of fun! It felt really sentimental and memorable because you know you only have one year. It was an opportunity for my friends and I to watch the sunrise, take pictures, and connect.”
This event instilled relaxation even though Palisade has only been in session for a week and a half. Coolbaugh says, “All things about senior year are hectic. It was a nice opportunity to just sit and relax because I haven’t gotten many of those since school started.” Most students wished the event lasted longer, maybe to have more time with friends, or to put off the school day starting. “It seems very exciting but it went by so fast. We were there and then it was over,” admits Coolbaugh.
It’s safe to say that there will be more fun activities that Seniors will bond and strengthen the class community. Hean says, “School events are going to be so much more fun and I am excited for our grade to come together more.” Despite the stress of school and Senior year, it will all be worth it. “All my hard work and effort is all coming together in a grande finale,” concludes Coolbaugh.
