As seniors begin their final year of high school, they tackle the challenge of transitioning into adulthood. They balance the task of getting ready for the future while still wanting to enjoy their last bits of their ‘childhood’ to the fullest for the last time. Regardless of what their plans are after high school, one thing is for sure, that these seniors are strutting around in style.
Senior backpacks are a trend for high school seniors where they wear backpacks that depict playful and cartoon-like characteristics on them. These backpacks are similar to the ones a person would see in an elementary or kindergarten classroom. The backpacks range from bright and colorful kinds to the ones with attachable lunchboxes, and most commonly — the ones with images of a person’s favorite childhood characters.
“When I was younger, I really loved Hello Kitty so I ended up getting a Hello Kitty backpack,” FHS senior Maechel Marasigan said. “I wanted to get a Team UmiZoomi backpack because that was my favorite show but it would take a while for it to come in the mail. So I just went to Target and saw that there was also Hello Kitty which [was] my second option.”
Senior backpacks have been around for a while, with the trend beginning in 2008. However, the trend has gained more popularity in the recent year. It has been seen across TikTok and Instagram, and was even promoted on our own FHS Class of 2026 Instagram account.
High school is a time of maturity and responsibility, so shopping for items that remind one of their childhood brings them a sense of comfort and reunion. The whole appeal of senior backpacks is appreciating and remembering that one childhood show or character for the last time before a person is sent off to deal with intimidating life decisions. It is a way of comparing the difficulty of transitioning into adulthood with the simplicity and lightheartedness of what once was in the years of your adolescence.
“I feel like this trend is the full circle moment of coming from elementary to high school,” FHS senior Jessica Khoan said.
By wearing senior backpacks, students get to show a glimpse of their identities through the backpack they chose. The character on the back, the colors, or the little keychains and accessories all play a part in showing who you are as an individual and how that is still reflected in that person to this day.
Seeing one’s fellow senior classmates, the same people they have known for the past four years, all join in on a silly but nostalgic trend that creates an unspoken bond between each other. Each and every backpack, no matter what design adorns it – Hello Kitty, Lightning McQueen, Spongebob, Disney Princesses, Minecraft, and more – all send a silent message of togetherness and perseverance. A way of saying ‘we made it and this is our year.’
“Now it’s the final moment, it’s our last year to have fun.” Khoan said. “Our last year to live up to before we become adults.”
