By the time the bells ring for lunch, students at Miami Palmetto Senior High separate from their classrooms and go to their designated spots. Every table, bench and patch of grass awaits hungry Panthers excited to scatter to their familiar spots surrounded by familiar faces. Where one sits at lunch is not just about finding an empty seat: it is about finding a place for peace and tranquility after a long morning of classes.
MPSH is home to many different places to eat at lunchtime including the Pawvillion, the ledges and the courtyard to name a few.
“I sit where most of the seniors sit, which is the senior courtyard near the office,” senior Felicia de Kousemaeker said.
At MPSH, most students sit at their “coordinated” lunch spots based on grade level, with seniors in the courtyard, juniors and sophomores along the ledges and freshmen scattered between the benches and shaded corners.
Alexis Gettinger, a freshman, enjoys eating lunch under the shade at the ledges, where she and her friends usually sit.
“I love eating here since it’s always kind of shady and I’m always able to meet up with my friends in other classes at lunch,” Gettinger said.
On the other hand, some students prefer to sit at the Pawvillion, or better known as the Paw, which is the covered area by the gym with benches.
“I always eat in the Paw since it’s not as hot as eating outside and it’s where all my friends sit,” freshman Miguel Cordo said. “It’s just my go-to spot after I walk around.”
Another popular spot at MPSH is the white blocks in front of the auditorium, where students can spend time with their friends while enjoying the outdoor breeze.
“If I don’t eat at the white blocks, I go to the freshman benches, but I like it here since it’s really peaceful and you get to interact with other people. Plus, the environment is really pretty, there’s a bunch of trees surrounding us, and I always have a good time here,” freshman Julia Diemar said.
Other students enjoy wandering between groups or switching up their own routines. For some, lunch is not tied to a single bench or courtyard, it is a chance to socialize with different people and explore new pockets of MPSH.
“I like walking around during lunch because it lets me catch up with all my friends and still grab something to eat along the way,” junior Mila Vidal said.
No matter where they sit, one thing is certain; lunch at MPSH is more than just food — it is about community. Each day, the school comes alive with laughter and energy as Panthers share stories and unwind. These spots, whether they are shaded benches, courtyards or covered tables, become part of the very high school experience with small traditions that make the day feel complete.
