LaVell Edwards Stadium is typically quiet in the spring, but on the evening of April 10, the graduating class of 2026 gathered to begin their graduation celebration.
Those preparing to graduate lined up around the northwest gates of the stadium and were greeted with a drawstring bag labeled with their new title: BYU alumni.
For many, it was a family outing, as married students brought their spouses and children. Overall, it was a time for seniors to catch up with the people they had met and grown close to during their time in Provo.
As the students continued to enter the stadium, the concourses were filled with booths from each of BYU's 11 colleges and schools.
From gift bags to brownies and even portable chairs, the graduates were treated to memorabilia from their respective colleges.
It was also a time to get pictures, as many colleges had backdrops and props for graduates to take photos with their friends from their college.
"Are you a senior?” could be heard jokingly, as graduates conversed with one another.
After the graduates stopped by their booth, they were treated with Cougar favorites from BYU Concessions. There were brownies, sodas, hot dogs and more. They also received the new Cougar Paw, which debuted this year as part of the BYU 150 celebrations.
The BYU Store inside the stadium was also open during the event with a discounted price for graduates.
On the field, there were many games, including nine-square, life-sized Connect 4 and cornhole.
Around 9 p.m., the stadium lights dimmed, and the senior class gathered on the football field to play a Kahoot game displayed on the scoreboard.
The questions focused on BYU's past and present. Some of the questions included how many living BYU alumni there are, when BYU was founded and how old Cosmo the Cougar is.
One question that nearly divided the crowd evenly was "What is BYU's official fight song title?"
Most thought the answer was "Rise and Shout," followed by "The BYU Fight Song" and "Rise, O Loyal Cougars." The least picked but correct answer was "The Cougar Song."
The game featured more than 1,400 participants and 20 questions.
"I thought the game was fun," Eli Erickson, a graduate and attendee, said. "Some of the questions were tough, but it was fun to be in that big of a game."
The evening of celebration ended with a drone show featuring many BYU logos, nods to the different colleges, and even Brigham Young himself.
“We do it to celebrate the grads, welcome them as alumni, and throw them a fun party,” said Curtis C. Isaak, senior manager of events and experience at BYU Alumni.
The event began in the mid-1980s as the Senior Celebration.
The first graduation was held in 1876. Now, 150 years later, the senior class is preparing for final exams before BYU commencement on April 23.