Hudson’s Bay seniors keep sunrise tradition alive in Vancouver

Local high school students may see an unusual cap to their school careers, but a few dozen Hudson’s Bay High School students weren’t going to let one tradition squander.

A group of students gathered on the Vancouver waterfront at sunrise Friday, gathering in small groups with their friends in recognition of a new school year ahead.

Not all students were wearing masks. The student-led event was not sanctioned or organized by the school district.

Trinitie Ramey was among those seniors gathered at the amphitheater at Vancouver Landing, wearing a mask decorated with crowns. Trinitie said she’s always been excited for the trappings of senior year, and that the move to virtual education has left her “nervous and really bummed.”

“It was definitely weird,” Trinitie said of the first day of distance learning on Tuesday. “I didn’t feel like I was in school.” Valeria Mozqueda and Dulce Garcia stood back from the crowd with a small group of masked students as the sky glowed with the orange and blue of early light.

“Our senior year is kind of–” started Valeria.

“Ruined,” finished Dulce.

Their friend, Stephanie Santiago, said she attended Friday’s event to stay motivated for the year ahead. Vancouver Public Schools and others hope to return students to the classroom in a hybrid model this fall. Santiago, however, isn’t optimistic that day will come.

“This is probably the only time we’re going to see each other,” she said.