On Thursday, August 7, the alarm clocks of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) Class of 2026 sounded off at 5:00 a.m. This was not just their everyday wake-up alarm; it was a symbol of the beginning of their senior year. Senior Sunrise is a yearly tradition at Pines Charter, where the incoming senior class wakes up bright and early to watch the beautiful Florida sunrise from the PPCHS football field.
After taking lots of pictures and creating their first memories as seniors, it was time for the Class of 2026 to make their mark in the Pines Charter student parking lot by painting their spots. Before this could start, the seniors were given the opportunity that no other class has had in PPCHS history: the chance to have senior privilege on the very first day of school. Here is what the Class of 2026 has to say about their special opportunity and their iconic Senior Sunrise:
“It was cool to still be in summer, but see everyone from school that I wouldn’t hang out with outside of school.” – Sjhanaz Buth, Senior
“Senior sunrise was super fun, and the weather made it fun too because we got to play in the rain, and we also got super lucky, with having senior privilege early.” – Mariana Rios, Senior
“Being able to get my beauty sleep is so great now because we have senior privilege. I was also happy but sad about Senior Sunrise because it meant that it was the beginning of the end.” – Kaylee Suyama, Senior
“The timing of Senior Sunrise was really good because it was nice to reconnect with all of our friends right before the school year started.” – Shayan Chowdury, Senior
“I had a really great time at Senior Sunrise, and it was nice to see all my friends again. Having senior privilege early on in the school year is also very helpful because I might not have made it to school on time without it.” – Chloe Leyva, Senior
“It was nice that everyone was in the same place, and that we were able to all connect and talk to each other.” – Gabriana Bravo, Senior
“Reuniting with my friends after not seeing them for a long time was really great, and having senior privilege early is very nice, being able to wake up late.” – Nicholas Armand, Senior
