Back Pack it Up

They’re not just carrying books, they’re carrying four years of memories, stress, and maybe a half-eaten granola bar. Senior backpacks have become a big thing on campus: minimal, overloaded, and often underestimated. From emotional support water bottles to folders that haven’t been touched since sophomore year, a senior’s backpack is more than just a school supply- it’s a throwback to simpler times. These tiny backpacks are making big statements throughout the community. 

“I’m rocking a Toy Story backpack because Toy Story has always been one of my favorite movies growing up,” shared senior Christian Fiorenza.

The choice of backpack is more than just a fashion decision for many students. It’s a moment they’ve looked forward to for years, often planned well in advance.

“I think, especially at the beginning of the school year, it's really fun to see what people choose. I know at the end of junior year, we were talking all about it, and then over the summer, you finally see what people actually ended up choosing and it's just fun to see how it all comes together,” explained senior Caitlyn Harding.

Still, not everyone is thrilled about the practicality of their mini bags. For some, the charm comes at a cost.

“I don’t enjoy carrying around these small backpacks. It can’t fit all my stuff. It’s honestly hard,” said senior Peyton Sexton.

The experience of finally participating in the tradition can feel surreal for some students, especially after watching previous graduating classes do the same.

“It feels kind of weird. You spend so many years looking at different classes of seniors wearing [backpacks], and it almost doesn’t feel right to wear one,” reflected senior Evie Tran.

Others approach it with a sense of pride, seeing it as a full-circle moment after years of anticipation.

“It feels good. It was kind of cool looking at seniors doing it when I was younger. The fact that it's me now is just crazy,” admitted Fiorenza.

Although the backpacks vary in size, color, and character, many students view them as a way to express their personalities or send a message about their senior year mindset.

“I think the backpack tradition shows the part of senior year where you’re just there for a good time and to soak it all in. There’s no worry about what people will think of you or your backpack, and it really represents how we are all just kids at heart who happen to be seniors,” noted Tran.

For some, the backpacks reflect more than just a fun tradition; they symbolize a bridge between childhood and the edge of adulthood.

“If my senior backpack could say something, it would be how far I've come. You get to come back to your kid memories even in our senior year, and it kind of gives off a cap to your childhood,” Fiorenza remarked.

While the backpacks are largely meant for the school year, not every student is ready to part with them after graduation. Some even inherit theirs from former seniors to keep the tradition going.

“I have a dinosaur backpack. I got this for Merrick Berry, who had it last year, because I think it's kind of lame that people use their backpacks once, and if it doesn't break, then you just get rid of it. So I might as well use it,” Harding commented.

Even with the fun and nostalgia attached, some students see the use of preschool-style bags as a light reflection of senior culture itself.

“I just feel like the fact that they use preschool backpacks just shows that the mental state goes backwards from here,” joked Harding.