Lessons learned at 'Senior Sunrise'

For the better part of three years, I have spent much time documenting in the wilderness and serving in communities.

Throughout the Western states, I've been blessed to meet extraordinary people and hear their stories.

There are those that spoke of tradition and, in turn, I began my own, which is to start my days giving thanks.

It is my reminder that God’s will was to bestow grace upon me to see another day. In truth, there are countless times I should have lost my life.

This morning, as I arrived at Honeysuckle Beach, I noticed a large group of young people, collectively growing as sunrise neared.

There were many things that stood out, such as laughter, smiles, friends huddled together for warmth.

Lo, it came upon a tradition of its own.

Deanne Clifford, principal at Lake City High School, was kind enough to give me the background of Senior Sunrise.

It began in 1995, when the new senior class would meet in the high school parking lot at the beginning of the year to watch the sunrise and mark the end of the year similarly.

Over time, the tradition was lost, but returned about 15 years ago.

The 336 seniors in the class of 2024, however, made it something of their own by congregating on the shore of Hayden Lake to feel, as one, the blessing of a sunrise.

Subtle reminders like seeing these new seniors, joyfully united, bring light to a world that too often focuses on the darkness.

Jennifer Sells resides in the Coeur d’Alene area while working on a North Idaho photography composition.