TURNERS FALLS — The 32-member senior class returned to Turners Falls High School for their final year on Thursday morning, marking the occasion by watching the sun slowly illuminate the school grounds.
“I think this is giving us a great start to our year,” commented senior Abigail Moore. “It is a great opportunity to talk with people we haven’t seen all summer.”
The students sleepily gathered together at 6 a.m., watching the colors of the sky change overhead.
Many students are dual enrolled at Greenfield Community College several miles away, so the whole group does not get to see each other in classes and in the hallways like they did at the beginning of their time in high school, making Thursday’s event particularly special.
The tradition of “Senior Sunrise” at Turners Falls High School started in 2019. But according to Principal Christopher Barnes, this is the first class to bring a grill for cooking breakfast.
“It feels great to be up here getting fresh air this early in the morning,” Barnes said. This is Barnes’ second year on the job, so he is still getting to know the class by attending events like Senior Sunrise.
Class advisor Jonathan Laurent-Wood has been working with this group of students since eighth grade.
“They are a small but well-connected group,” he said. “I hope they have a wonderful non-COVID senior year. I hope they all go onto either college or the trade of their choice.”
“Because of COVID, we didn’t get a true high school experience,” Moore said. “My goals for this year are to have fun and do well.”
Other members of the class echoed Moore’s sentiment. Wesley Bredugo, Class of 2023 vice president, said, “I’m excited to hang out with everyone in the class this year. I work a lot over the summer so I don’t have time to hang out with everyone.”
Bredugo said he is most excited about the senior trip. He hopes to finish planning the trip over winter break and go out of the state with his peers.
“It’s a big thing to be a senior,” Bredugo said. “We have to live it up, and have the most fun we can.”
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.