As high school seniors approach graduation and the transition to adulthood, many have embraced trends that help them hold onto their childhood. These trends include carrying fun and playful elementary school style backpacks and creating senior boxes. Among these, the most popular trend has evidently become carrying a backpack typically made for children, often featuring characters from Disney, like Bluey or Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, as well as video game designs and more.
The question is, how did these trends become so widespread? Social media platforms, specifically TikTok, have spread these small trends nationwide, resulting in people all over the world participating. Many students began their senior year accompanied by one of these backpacks. For many, planning which senior backpack to use starts well before senior year, with students carefully picking and choosing their backpacks from the many options that are available. Some students even saved their backpacks from preschool or elementary school and chose to reuse them again. “This new trend is very special to me because I was able to reuse one of my old backpacks from elementary school. I think its adorable that I can feel like a kid again right before leaving high school,” senior Sadiyah Ali said. With each year passing, more students begin to participate in this trend, and it only seems to be growing in popularity.
(Gayane Ayvazyan)
In addition to TikTok, Pinterest has also played a significant role in shaping these trends. Many students turn to Pinterest for creative and inspiring ideas for their projects. As users share their takes on popular trends, others are encouraged to try them and create similar versions. Pinterest is especially helpful when it comes to finding ideas on how to design and decorate senior boxes.
These trends have gained significant traction within the Clark community, with more students than ever embracing them. Friend groups can now be seen wearing matching backpacks or coordinating themes, creating a sense of unity and nostalgia. As students walk through the Panther Pit, they are greeted by a display of colorful and fun backpacks, each one representing a different student’s childhood. These backpacks serve as a reminder that, no matter how much students grow and change, they will always carry a connection to our younger selves. “I think it’s a great full circle moment for most seniors, since they are able to have a part of their younger self apart of this year,” senior Tatevik Avetisyan said.
Apart from people participating with the trend of backpacks, creating senior boxes has become just as popular on TikTok. Before their senior year, friends often come together to decorate wooden boxes where they can store sentimental items, photos, and memories from the year. These boxes serve as personal time capsules, offering a way to preserve memories from senior year while reflecting on one’s identity and interests. The trend captures the idea of holding onto something meaningful, a tangible reminder to look back on in the future.
These nostalgic trends allow students to build a bridge connecting their childhood to their adulthood, serving as a great memory of friendships, growth, and the last year of high school. Hopefully, these trends continue and allow more people to experience these long lasting memories that make senior year so special and exciting.
