By Kira Whitaker 

Many students carry a backpack that gives an observer a little insight into who they are, but some backpacks are bought for comfort, style, and reliability. What do these backpacks say about you when students walk around with them like a piece of them? Seniors tend to carry backpacks with some connection to their childhood and demonstrate what they used to watch. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors usually use a bag they like for function and style.

A student’s backpack is often more than just a way to carry notebooks; it serves as a canvas for personal identity. By observing backpack trends across local high schools and conducting targeted interviews, distinct patterns begin to emerge. When we examine a student’s grade level, extracurricular commitments, fashion preferences, and academic course load, we can decode the fashion choices behind their bags and uncover the unique themes driving campus trends.

Jumana is an early graduate in 11th grade attending Ironwood Ridge High School. She carries a solid black bag, calling it “a basic backpack”. Being in no extra curriculars allows her to spend time academically in order to graduate early. Jumana says “my favorite class is English”. Loving to learn, and “staying comfy” has made her thrive in school. While not in school she tries to do some work at home but overall is drawn to her bed to sleep. Debora (“you may know me as Debbie”) goes to La Cholla High School and owns not one but 2 backpacks. Owning a “black Jansport backpack ” has been my identity, basic, reliable, and  very practical, but as of recently I spiced it up and got a light up bluey backpack.” Debbie takes “7 international baccalaureate classes.”  She says “my schedule consists of history, biology, math, arabic, english, theatre and theory class” she enjoyed many activities related to school and out of school participating in communities all around. She says she brought her backpack to all of her “volleyball games, african american club meetings, and numerous school trips throughout town.” She says she “misses my old jansport backpack” but her bluey backpack “goes with everything, is noticeable, and can make my whole outfit.” While all these people are widely different they all carry a simple bag. If they are so “unalike” then how did they all have similar backpacks? While I found themes of many who chose a simple backpack, they were all so alike yet so different. While all worked hard in school and most participated in many other things, they all had the same goal of making their futures. Paving their roads to success they actively worked hard to meet their goals. While they all have their own individuality and personalities they all strive differently to maintain the same thing. 

Sophia is a senior at Ironwood Ridge High School who carries a black and gray Slytherin backpack. She says “most of my time goes to NHS and work”, however she still has time to do things she enjoys. Dressing comfy and shopping sometimes she likes to be able to do different things. Her favorite class being “3 D art”, she has fun in her class loving to learn and try new techniques.  Rithvika is doing her senior year at Ironwood Ridge High School. She has a spiderman backpack and has gotten involved at school fast. By creating many communities and friendships she has bonded and talked to lots of people. At school she participates in “many clubs”. When asked about after school life she says, “I love to play tennis, games with my friends, and go out with them.” While keeping her school life broad she is very open to different things. She says “My favorite class is graphic design because of how creative it is.” 

Having fun backpacks look cute but what can you tell about a cartoon backpack just by looking at it? When listening to these interviews you can see a lot of them are doing a little bit of everything in life and school. Being unsure of your future is common with so many options to pick from. While keeping a broad aspect of life and getting things done presently, they have more time to have fun. When seeing a cartoon backpack I see someone who does a lot for others and themselves, but stays in the moment and leaves time to be able to express your own creativity.

 

What do these backpacks have to do with them? By showing who they are on a bag they often reflect not what they are, but how they want people to interpret them. Many of the people that said they had a “boring” or “plain” backpack weren’t boring themselves. Many kids in extra curricula or classes are paving their futures while staying simple. Worrying about other things makes it hard to worry about small things like a bag. While others have fun creative bags they want others to see them as fun. Having the time and the thought to get the bag is easy for some but others make time for that. Does a backpack really say something true about the person wearing it, or are we just seeing what the person wants us to know about them?