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September 10, 2025
CHS Class of 2026 Welcomes Senior Year with Sunrise Tradition
Written by student writer Delaney Laurence
The CHS Class of 2026 gathered bright and early on the football field to celebrate their Senior Sunrise, an annual tradition that marks the beginning of their final year of high school. Dressed in decorated jeans, "senior crowns," and holding handmade signs, the seniors watched the sunrise together, kicking off a year that promises to be filled with memories, milestones, and new opportunities.
But the event was more than just watching the sunrise or taking photos—it was a moment to reflect on how far the class has come.
“For me, Senior Sunrise was a way for my fellow seniors and me to better connect with each other,” said senior Brylee Hugar. “I remember being a freshman and seeing the older students bond at this event. It made it especially meaningful to now be here, celebrating with the people I’ve grown up with and recognizing how much we’ve all accomplished.”
As the sky began to glow with the morning light, students took photos with friends, shared breakfast, and looked back on the memories they've made over the past three years. For many, it was a moment of realization about how quickly time has passed.
“I remember my freshman year, watching senior activities like Senior Sunrise, Senior Nights, and graduation, thinking how far away it all felt,” said senior Sophia Downey. “Now, I understand what everyone meant when they said it goes by fast. I blinked, and suddenly I’m a senior. I’m still coming to terms with the fact that my high school years are almost over.”
The tradition of Senior Sunrise is about more than just the view it’s about community, connection, and commemorating the start of an important final chapter. Teachers and administrators who joined the event reminded students to cherish these moments and make the most of their remaining time at CHS.
For the Class of 2026, this sunrise marks a beginning. In just a few months, they'll gather again—this time at graduation—to watch the sun set on their high school journey.
From Homeschool to High School: Meet Mr. Corcoran
By Pavel Stebel, LHS Student Staff Writer
Lecanto High School (LHS) has welcomed a new face to its math department: Mr. Corcoran, a Citrus County native whose path to teaching has been anything but conventional.
Raised in a homeschool environment, Corcoran brings with him a distinctive perspective on learning and student engagement. Before entering the classroom, he spent nearly eleven years working outdoors in Crystal River, where he rented paddleboards and kayaks to tourists eager to experience Florida’s manatees up close. While he initially enjoyed sharing the local waterways with visitors, the seasonal uncertainty, especially after hurricanes forced prolonged closures, prompted him to seek a more stable and rewarding career. That search led him to the classroom at LHS.
Though he enjoys teaching, Corcoran admits his ultimate dream job would involve coaching at the college level. “If I had to say it’s my dream job, I’d probably be lying,” he said. “My dream job is probably going to be like a college basketball or football coach.” Until then, he channels his love of strategy and competition through Fantasy Football.
Outside of math and sports, Corcoran’s interests reach into the world of fantasy. He is an avid fan of Dungeons & Dragons, The Lord of the Rings films, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. Recently, he was moved by Netflix’s animated series Arcane. “There hasn’t been a show that’s made me so emotional before,” he shared.
At home, Corcoran’s life is filled with pets: three cats, and a 16-year-old dog. He also has a personal goal of becoming a better cook. “Cooking’s such a huge part of life. If I could master that section of it, that’d be awesome,” he said.
So far, Corcoran’s impression of Lecanto High has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone here is awesome. The staff is awesome; the students here are awesome… Principal LaBarbara is awesome,” he said with a smile. ‘It's just awesome.”
With his unique background, diverse interests, and enthusiasm for both teaching and life, Mr. Corcoran is already making his mark at LHS, reminding Panther Nation that learning, much like life, takes many paths, and here at Lecanto, there is no end to what we can do together, because we are achieving success for every Panther, every day. It is The Panther Way.
