SPOKANE, Wash –It was a special morning at ONE Spokane Stadium as the Lewis & Clark class of 2026 started their senior year together, watching the sunrise.
Senior sunrises are not a new concept, but this is the first sanctioned sunrise by the district.
Students arrived at ONE Spokane just before 5:30 a.m., where parents greeted them with breakfast treats. They were then ushered onto the field together at 5:45 a.m.
Students laid out blankets, played games, captured memories, and enjoyed each other’s company, and the sun rose above the stands.
Senior Ashlyn Miller said this was a perfect way to kick off her senior year and hopes the tradition continues.
“I just think it’s so beautiful, and I’m glad it just worked out for everyone to come here, I mean, we are even surprised that so many people turned up and got up so early for this,” said Miller. “We are just really excited, and I feel like we are coming together as a senior class to all become friends and just experience the year together.”
Spokane Public Schools has been encouraging students to put down their phones and spend quality time with one another through its Engage IRL campaign.
This will be the second year of Engage IRL, and the district hopes to build off the success they saw last year by reducing any barriers that prevent students from signing up for clubs and activities.
“We are also looking at creating new opportunities based on what kids want to see,” said Crystal Medina, Lewis & Clark Feeder Pattern Engagement Navigator. “What we saw last year is that sometimes people don’t really know what they want students to participate in, but kids are the best people to ask.”
To learn more about Engage IRL, click here.
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