Rain pelted the pavement as students sprinted for shelter, clutching ponchos and backpacks while shrieking with laughter. What should’ve been a sunny reward for months of hard work quickly turned into a battle against soggy shoes, long lines and sudden ride shutdowns. For AVID students, the Six Flags field trip was unforgettable, but not for the reasons they expected.
The annual spring trip to Six Flags is a long-standing AVID tradition meant to celebrate student commitment and academic growth. This year’s event fell on a rainy Friday, and while forecasts sparked concern, students still voted to go.
“I think it was a great experience,” junior Emely Carvajal said. “Even though the weather was bad, we still made the most out of it. It wasn’t what we planned, but it still turned into a memory.”
AVID teacher Elizabeth Brown gave students the choice to vote on whether to proceed with the Six Flags trip despite the forecast of rain.
“I gave them a choice because I wanted them to have a voice,” Brown said.
The morning started with drizzle, but the mood on the buses was hopeful. As the group arrived, excitement quickly turned to frustration when it suddenly started raining.
“Everyone knew the weather was going to be bad,” junior Aisha Salim said. “But Ms. Brown let us decide. I respected that. We said yes, so even when the rain got worse, we couldn’t really complain.”
Ride closures began early. Students found themselves waiting in line, only to be turned away as the slick tracks and cold temperatures forced rides like Batman and Mr. Freeze to shut down.
“We waited in line for Mr. Freeze two times,” Salim said. “Both times we were next to get on, and they closed it. It was so annoying.”
Lines for food were no better. As more people crowded under shelter to escape the rain, the park’s restaurants quickly filled beyond capacity.
“The food situation was awful,” junior Daniela Luciano said. “Everyone was trying to get out of the rain and into the restaurants, so it was packed. And some of our food vouchers didn’t even work. We had to wait again in a separate line just to fix it.”
Still, many found ways to enjoy the day. Some caught a few rides in between shutdowns, others took photos in the rain and many just found joy in being with friends.
“Honestly, it was freezing and wet, but being with my friends made it better,” junior Keren Onuoha said. “We just laughed through it all, even when things went wrong.”
Brown said despite the challenges, the trip was still a valuable experience.
“Even though it didn’t go as expected, they handled it with humor and resilience,” Brown said. “That’s what I’m proud of.”
For some, the mishaps turned into the best part of the story. Soaked clothes, long lines and missed rides became inside jokes and shared memories.
“We were all drenched and freezing,” Carvajal said. “But honestly, I think it made it more fun in a weird way. I’ll never forget it.”
Despite the weather working against them, students said the trip left them with something more lasting than photos or souvenirs.
“We had the worst luck but stuck together,” Salim said. “That’s what mattered in the end.”
