Senior Picnic: Zoo Adventures with the Class of 2026

One of the many activities Ferguson seniors can look forward to during their last year as Falcons is the annual senior picnic. This year’s edition was held on November 20 at Zoo Miami. The location is the largest zoo in Florida, spanning 750 acres of space, ensuring ample room for us to take our time exploring.

The excitement during the lead-up felt palpable. Groups designed their own unique shirts to match with friends in the weeks prior. “Designing the shirt with my friends gave me an opportunity to spend time with the people I love and be creative together,” said Alejandra Caso.

Eventually, the big event came around. On Thursday, eleven buses were needed in total to make room for every group in the field trip, including students and faculty. From there, the half-hour drive culminated in the official start of the event.

The zoo offered several entertainment opportunities. There were inflatable obstacle courses and a volleyball court adjacent to the open dining areas. The food options included hamburgers and chicken tenders, as well as cookies and several varieties of soda to accommodate everyone’s different tastes. There were also milkshakes, slushies, and other sweet drinks for sale throughout the zoo.

The nice weather made it pleasant to stay in the zoo without getting hot. “I thought it was pretty epic, and it was such a good day. Thankfully, with no rain,” said Jasmine Corea.

Of course, one of the main draws of attending the senior picnic is being able to traverse the zoo and learn about the varying animal exhibitions. There are five themed areas, which consist of species native to the Everglades, Asia, Africa, the Amazon, and Australia. Still, the trails are full of surprises and chances to learn about exotic species. “I had fun looking at all the animals and feeling like an adventurer with my friends”, noted Stephany Chirino.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the buses began their journey back to school. We hope the fun from last Thursday can be replicated in future events for everyone to look forward to.