News

September 16, 2026

PHOTO BY KATIE TRAYLEN

Clara Gerlach, Charlisa Chirachin, Jasmine Espinoza, Sophia Barrantes, and Olivia Barr at Senior Sunrise.

Senior season starts off bright

By: Camilla Sini

Staff Writer

For South High seniors, the beginning of the school year marks more than just another first day. With graduation on its way, the Class of 2027 is beginning their final year of high school by participating in classic senior traditions and activities.

“I am really excited for this school year, but it’s also very bittersweet,” senior Sophia Alexander said.

One of these activities is Senior Sunrise, when seniors gather before school in the football stadium to hang out with friends, eat breakfast, and play games. Watching the sunrise symbolizes the beginning of their final year together. Later in the year, Senior Sunset will mark the end of their senior year, creating a full-circle moment.

“If I could describe senior year in three words, it would be: memorable, exciting, and bittersweet,” senior Aidan Kagami said.

Senior Sunrise also gives seniors a chance to make memories with classmates as their final year begins. With many students having different schedules and friend groups, events like these allow the whole senior class to come together and have fun.

PHOTO BY: KATIE TRAYLEN

Class Council 2027 organizes and attends Senior Sunrise.

“I am looking forward to being with a lot of my friends who I do not have a lot of classes with, and it is also one of the last gatherings we have before we all graduate,” senior Emma Smith said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: SUNSHINE CIZMA

Senior Sunshine Cizma's painted parking spot.

For some seniors, the event is also a chance to make the most of traditions they will only experience once during high school. Another popular tradition is painting a senior parking spot. Seniors have creative freedom and can personalize it according to their style.

“I’m painting my parking spot with my friend from Torrance. It is an album cover from the band Sublime, and it’s a sun, so it represents me in a way too,” senior Sunshine Cizma said.

For some seniors, painting their parking spot is less about tradition and more about making their space their own.

“I just got the spot for fun, and I don’t think I’ll miss it when I graduate,” senior Philip Lee said.

With many senior traditions and activities to come, the class of 2027 still has the rest of the year to spend time with their classmates and make lasting memories. From Senior Sunrise to painting their parking spots, seniors are looking forward to making the most of their final year at South High.

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