Like the sun begins the day, senior sunrise begins the start of RCHS high schoolers’ last experiences. For the class of 2026, the start of senior events began on Friday, Aug. 22.
From 6:30 to 8:00 a.m., seniors filled the Cougar Stadium to watch the sun illuminate the sky. Met with Disney Channel-themed art, coffee, donuts, spikeball, speeches, and a car competition, they walked into their first senior event: senior sunrise.
Entering the Cougar Stadium, seniors were met with donuts and coffee served by juniors who volunteered for the event. Beyond the food offered, seniors were invited to set up their blankets on the field. Seniors, going with the relaxing atmosphere, were dressed in their pajamas alongside their stuffed animals, as encouraged by ASB.
While many enjoyed watching the sun’s ascent and hanging out with their friends, others played spikeball and snapped pictures in front of the painted flats.
As the morning went on, the 2026 senior class president Kai Wener, the 2026 senior class vice president Victoria Hong, and the 2026 senior class secretary, and Charlotte Patio shared a few words with the seniors about their hopes for senior year.
A while after seniors began to settle back down on the field, Principal Mr. Azande Aikens and ASB director Ms. Heather Landau announced the winners of the senior car decorating competition. A crowd gathered around to listen to the three winners of the competition, who erupted in cheers as the names were revealed. In third place was senior Gracie Garcia, in second place was senior Alessea Pai, and in first place was senior Isabella Duggins.
The event ended as the day began to get hotter, and seniors began to head out of the field. Overall, many seniors enjoyed the event, sharing how senior sunrise made them excited for the rest of their year.
“It’s kind of crazy how fast it’s going by, but it’s a lot of fun, a great way to start off the year,” senior Griffin Fittante said.
The event seemed to bring up other emotions as well. Another senior added that other than making them feel excited for future senior events, senior sunrise made them sentimental about their time at Rancho.
“It’s a really emotional time, and I think I’ll definitely remember it as a good last memory that I had with all of my friends,” senior Jocelyn Rodriguez said.
When creating this event, there was an intention to make senior sunrise memorable and fun for seniors. These thoughts were in mind as senior class officers started preparation.
Before the event, Wener explained how this event was one way for seniors to experience their last year at RCHS to the fullest.
“It’s one of the very first events for seniors, and I think it’s going to be very memorable and really fun and just a great bonding experience for everyone,” Wener said.
Intention was translated into their work. The officers worked on the theme a few weeks beforehand, and once they got the theme of artwork, they created flats and a promotional bulletin.
Overall, senior sunrise was successful in bringing the class of 2026 together and making students excited for the future.
“This is making me feel very confident about my senior year, knowing that our class is very bonded and that we can come together. I hope that the class of 2026 has the best year ever, and I’m happy to have this as my graduating class,” Hong said.
