It’s unusual to see one teenager awake early in the morning, let alone a crowd of teenagers from two different high schools gathered at Folsom Lake before dawn.
At 5:45 a.m. on Aug. 7, senior students from Folsom and Vista del Lago high schools reconciled their deep crosstown rivalry to celebrate the first day of school and watch the sunrise at Folsom Point on Folsom Lake.
Many of these students recognized each other from opposite goals of a soccer field or adjacent desks at an Academic Decathlon competition, but an unspoken truce was settled as both sides gathered for the sunrise.
As the senior students of Folsom mingled, the only difference between factions was whether they wore an all-black outfit representing Folsom or an all-white outfit for Vista.
Many schools celebrate Senior Sunrise, a traditional gathering of the year’s senior class on a morning before school starts. This event has been popularized by social media as high schools began to create their own unique versions of sunrise parties and meetings.
Folsom’s version of the event is especially unique because students walk to the lake together to take pictures, listen to music and hang out rather than setting up the event at a football field or park.
However, the defining characteristic of Folsom’s Senior Sunrise is that both high schools from opposite sides of town are invited.
“I feel great about sharing this moment with our rival school because I feel like it’s a really special moment where we can all come together and just … be one,” Folsom student Caitlin Tangonan said.
Despite some initial tension and discomfort, many students quickly found friends from the other school.
“It’s kind of awkward at first, but then, when you see people you know, it’s fine,” Vista del Lago student Lauren Sage said.
A shared experience was the intense preparation required to schedule the exciting morning.
“I got up really early around three and I did my makeup routine,” Folsom senior Lola Atristain said.
Many friend groups planned outings for after the event, despite the lingering exhaustion caused by waking up at 3 a.m. to prepare. A hearty meal or a fun drink was exactly what these tired seniors needed to rejuvenate themselves before returning to the classroom.
FHS students Kenzie O’Donnell and Nivi Pedaballi both planned group breakfasts at favorite local spots like Mel’s Diner, while Vista seniors Bhumi Rao and Vanshika Sahu decided to hang out at a friend’s house.
Although Senior Sunrise was an exciting way to begin the year, watching the dawn of a new season of life was accompanied by bittersweet feelings. Like the slowly budding sun on the horizon, the alluring promise of graduation and future plans is inextricably linked to major life changes.
FHS students Katelyn Bryan and Jovie Carr discussed their outlook on senior year and its milestones.
“I think I’m more sad that this is my senior year because it means that I have to start adulting after this,” Carr joked.
On the other hand, Bryan said, “I’m pretty happy because I’m excited to go more into the world after this.”
No matter what school the students at Folsom Point were from or what ways they will go in the coming year, they will all have shared a heartwarming experience together. As soon as the sun was up, the schools returned to being competitors.
But even if it is just for one golden hour, Folsom and Vista’s classes of 2026 found comfort and support in this unique tradition.
“I think it’s really cool,” Rao said, “that we all get to do it together.”
