Fairhope seniors gathered for the first time in 7 months for a senior tradition– COVID-19 can’t take away their Pirate spirit.

On August 11th, 2020, the Fairhope High Senior Class of 2021 attended a sunrise at Cotton Bayou Beach. The event was created by Kailey Mooney, who wanted seniors to continue an ongoing tradition. After going back and forth in the seniors GroupMe about the time and date, Josie Conway created a poll to help decide the date on which to attend. Around 70 students woke up at 4:45 am to drive to Orange Beach and gather around the shore to take pictures, catch up, and of course, watch the sun rise over the horizon.

Here is what Mooney had to say about the special event and what it meant to her:

“My favorite part about the senior sunrise was being able to see all my friends that I hadn’t really been able to see over the summer.

Since it was early, I had a sleepover with my friends the night before and that was so much fun. It’s definitely an activity that should be a tradition because it gives you an opportunity to do something that you usually wouldn’t do on a normal day. It also creates valuable memories that will last forever. It was definitely an experience that I wouldn’t change for the world and that I would strongly encourage others to plan and do with their class when it comes to that time.”