On Aug. 31 at 5:30 a.m., members of the Class of 2024 began to arrive at Hempfield High School (HHS). Classes wouldn't start for a couple hours, and there was certainly no football game to attend so early in the day, but groups of seniors still trickled onto the field at Georgelis Law Firm Stadium. As dawn broke, the sun illuminated the campus and the field of students as they looked ahead to their final year of high school.

This is the second year that Senior Sunrise has been held at the stadium. The event was introduced last year by members of the Class of 2023 as a way for classmates to bond with one another, reflect on their journey through high school and kick off their final year at HHS. Although it meant students would need to sacrifice some sleep by getting out of bed extra early, the event drew a large crowd. The Class of 2024's steering committee was inspired by the success of the first Senior Sunrise, and it decided to organize its own.

This year, many seniors volunteered to bring breakfast items to share with classmates potluck-style. The steering committee made arrangements for New Holland Coffee Co.'s food truck to offer complimentary refreshments to attendees.

More than 270 seniors signed up for Senior Sunrise, and it was also attended by principals, school counselors and faculty chaperones. "This was a time for the class to be together as a group. Just seniors at Hempfield," said Bill Yoder, adviser for the steering committee. "Aside from graduation and class trips, this was one of the only times that will happen." In May, the steering committee will organize a similar event for members of the Class of 2024 to watch the sun set at the same stadium.

"Our vision for Hempfield High School is to create a school people are excited to be a part of," said HHS principal Bill Brossman. "We have worked with our student organizations and leadership to help them to understand that this is their school, and it is what they make of it."

This year, HHS' theme is "Raising the Bar," which encourages students to push themselves and to exceed expectations. Brossman said the Class of 2024 raised the bar by arranging for a food truck to supply coffee, tea and fruit smoothies. "We are so proud of our seniors and all of our HHS students for getting the 2023-24 school year off to a fantastic start," Brossman added. "We look forward to seeing all that they are able to accomplish before the sun sets on this year."