A new end-of-year treat will be the seniors’ reward this Friday after graduation practice. Instead of a breakfast, the Class of 2016 will be celebrating with a picnic.

“In movies, you always see [something big], like in Grease, they have a senior carnival, and in TV shows, they seem to celebrate seniors more,” Kelly Kerrigan, senior class board president, said. “When I got the position of president, I was brainstorming a lot of things we could do differently because it seems to be the year of change. I thought we should make something bigger and more festive to celebrate graduating.”

The idea that won out was a picnic, held in the back of the football field on the sidewalk under the bleachers. The picnic will feature such fun events as a photo booth, catering by Culver’s, and some other surprises, according to Kerrigan.

“I’m excited for the things that are secrets, and I think it will be fun to see the class as a whole altogether,” Kerrigan said. “I think it will be more fun than a breakfast where you sit at a table with the same friends you’ve always sat with. Here, you’re able to walk around and say your goodbyes, and branch out from your typical friend group.”

Unity as a senior class is one of the goals of this endeavor, and Danielle Collins, senior class board vice president, said they intend to use the senior shirts the school distributed.

“Everyone got free senior shirts this year and we’re hoping that everyone wears them to the picnic,” she said. “I think that’ll be really cool if everyone shows up wearing their senior shirts and matching. It’ll be a great way to have one last hurrah as a class together.”

Collins’ “last hurrah” is one she hopes to share, she said. The class board wants to make the last day great.

“Other than graduation, it’s our last day as a senior class,” Collins said. “A lot of teachers come. We wanted to make it something a little more memorable, a little more special than just a breakfast. Hopefully this is something people will have more fun at and it’ll be something people will remember for the rest of their lives.”