Not too long ago, OMHS announced that they were replacing the traditional senior picnic with a carnival due to COVID protocols preventing food (other than water) being served to people. “The plan right now is to have a variety of games and areas for people to sit in the shade if they just want to hang out with friends…” commented Katherine Florida, the school’s media specialist and one of the carnival’s organizers. Florida also described the event as “a chance for the senior class to be together and have some fun safely before they graduate.”

Aside from masks and social distancing, Florida has worked to select games and events that don’t require people to come in close contact with each other. Games like cornhole, volleyball, Jenga, Ladderball, Bingo, a Dunk Tank, a ring and/or balloon toss, laser tag, and other games and contests. Live music has also been confirmed. 

The carnival will take place on May 11 at 1:00 pm, just two hours after the senior award ceremony at 11:00 am. Admission to the carnival is free to all.

One thing Florida is looking forward to in this carnival is seeing all the seniors again. Due to the circumstances surrounding virtual learning, most teachers haven’t seen many students in over a year, and hope that this carnival will bring students to be face to face with others again. 

“The nice thing about the senior picnic is [that] there’s lots of places to spread out and just be with friends that you’ve known for a really long time,” Florida commented. “We’re hoping the same can be true for this carnival.”