At the beginning of each school year, the new senior class gathers early in the morning to watch the sunrise from the sports complex, which takes place on the first Friday of the new school year. For this year’s seniors, it’s different.

On Thursday evening, the seniors found out via the Orange Rush Instagram that their beloved tradition had been postponed. 

The senior sunrise, a tradition at EHS for the last four years, is celebrated by groups of senior friends starting their last year together. Which for many is the appeal of going.

“I was looking forward to being with my friends,” Barton said. 

Barton’s excitement for the upcoming tradition is echoed throughout the class of 2025. Yet others believe the delay was for the better.

Senior Gillian Steinhauff conveyed her thoughts about the setback.

“I was honestly relieved when the sunrise got moved,” Steinhauff said.“The sunrise being on the Friday of the week school starts was a lot.” 

Interim principal Alex Fox said the decision was made due to needing staff at the main campus. 

“I made the call to postpone the sunrise because I needed all of the school’s staff to man the front doors,” Fox said. “I’m trying to get people in the habit of wearing their IDs early in the year so we don’t have to have all of the staff at the front doors.” 

Fox also wanted to reassure the seniors that he didn’t want to cancel the sunrise or future events.

“I am not canceling the sunrise, and I don’t see this issue recurring because, after a few weeks, students and staff will understand what to do,” Fox said.

Senior and STUCO president, Lucy Schapman, who told the seniors the sunrise was postponed, said she “was disappointed delivering the news.” 

She also said that Mr. Fox’s call was the right thing to do.

“There was a lot going on that first day and I don’t think we could have handled everything,” Schapman said.

Schapman echoed Fox’s statement about future concerns.

“Even if things get pushed back I do not think anything will be canceled,” Schapman said.

Fox reiterated that this is his first year as interim principal and he doesn’t want 500-plus students to resent him and his decisions. 

“I would rather do things right than doing this rushed, ” Fox said.

Fox met with STUCO to set a date, eventually landing on Aug. 30 at 5:45 a.m. for the senior sunrise.