Lake Region seniors ring in final school year at sunrise | Column
Lake Region High School Seniors Gather for “Senior Sunrise” Before the New School Year Begins
NAPLES, ME – On the morning of Wednesday, September 2, a quiet ritual unfolded on the football field of Lake Region High School in Naples. Around 5:30 a.m., a stream of cars parked behind the bleachers, and a handful of teachers and parents began setting out punch bowls of fruit, boxes of doughnuts and cups of hot chocolate. The aim? To welcome the school’s seniors to a “Senior Sunrise” event that has become a staple of the campus culture.
The tradition, which started just a couple of years ago, draws roughly 70 students together the day before classes open. For many, it is the first time they’ve seen their classmates in months, as the rural district—serving the towns of Naples, Casco and Bridgton—often sees students spread out across a wide area during the summer break.
“Because the school district is so spread out… it’s not uncommon for classmates to go all summer without seeing each other,” said art teacher and senior class adviser Ian Carlson. “That’s the main motivation for a lot of them to show up that morning—to be with their friends.”
The students arrived in a relaxed, pajama‑style fashion. Some wore flannel pajamas and full faces of makeup; many carried plastic cups from Aroma Joe’s, while others lugged blankets they had laid down on the track around the field. Among the first to set up was Jordyn Green, who joked, “My roosters crow at 4,” explaining her punctuality for the early gathering.
While the seniors ate breakfast snacks, they also snapped photos. “We prefer digital cameras to phones,” noted Sid Young, an aspiring filmmaker who has barely attended any school events this year. “It’s hard to explain why exactly. The new statewide cellphone ban is one thing we’re dreading this year.” The ban, announced earlier this year, limits cell phone use in Maine schools, adding an extra layer of urgency to the photo‑taking.
The morning’s festivities were not just about food and photos. Many seniors had already returned to campus earlier in the summer to paint their assigned parking spots with personalized designs and quotes. “My sons, who are in elementary school, asked me to drive through the parking lot so they could see the artwork,” recalled Carlson.
A few of the seniors were already planning their futures beyond the school. Macey Serfes and Ryan Charette, who have dated on and off since middle school, anticipate moving to Louisiana or Mississippi by the end of the year. Serfes hopes to attend college for social work, while Charette already has a job set up in concert staging. “For her, it was an excuse to get Dunkin’ Donuts,” she said, smiling.
Other students were eyeing distant horizons. Sid Young said he plans to attend the California Film Institute after graduation. Riley Boutilier, who is moving to Texas with two friends, shared, “I’m glad to be getting out of my small town, but I know I’m going to miss it, too.”
While the sun never fully broke over the horizon, the students watched the sky’s pink and orange hues swirl before clouds took over. “This is great. Look at this!” Young exclaimed, pointing at the dramatic sky as classmates scattered across the field.
The event, described by many as “the best way to start the school year,” ended once the clouds thickened. Some students planned to meet at friends’ houses afterward, while others simply returned to bed.
Looking ahead, Carlson said he will meet with the class of 2027 to brainstorm additional events that could make the senior year memorable, including a planned “Senior Sunset” on a nearby hillside later in the year.
The Senior Sunrise has become more than a sunrise; it has become a moment of community, reflection, and forward‑looking excitement for Lake Region High School seniors as they head into the new school year.
