Marfa
Just before the sun rose east of Martin Field early Sunday morning, Marfa High School’s senior Class of 2027 gathered to commune, pray, and take sunrise selfies together before school commenced Monday morning. Their families looked on as the close cohort hugged each other and cried in the pre-dawn chill, shedding a few tears of their own.
Senior Giselle Torres’ mother, Yadira Hernandez, said it was just the first of many special senior moments to come for the students this year. With just 12 seniors, it’s a much smaller class for Marfa ISD than previous years, and their bond is tight.
Superintendent Stephen McCanless was there to cheer on the students and snap some photos as the sun blazed over the horizon.
“Senior Sunrise is a special event, a rite of passage event for seniors where they come together to reflect on their Junior year and look forward to their Senior Year. The last year in high school where most will be together for the last time before they graduate and move on to college, university, a career or technical studies,” McCanless said.
He added, “Seeing the sun rise behind this group of seniors was symbolic to me in saying a new day is dawning for these students and their future is just beginning. I look forward to working with them every day this year before seeing them off next spring to embark on some exciting adventures and endeavors of adulthood.”
On Monday morning, Marfa’s seniors started their first day of their last year in high school. All students — including Marfa’s new preK-3 class, along with teachers and staff, once again filled the halls and classrooms of Marfa Schools, enduring tight squeezes from family as they were dropped off and gleefully giving high-fives to teachers as they entered the building.
