As the school year comes to a close, Edison’s Seniors are left with items in their bags that reflect their achievements, personalities and developed interests throughout their four years of high school. 

Current seniors were asked to display an item in their bag and explain the value it held. This is what was received: 

Priya

Priya Allie is a senior in the Graphic Design shop class, and pulled out his Instax Mini 75 camera he got as a replacement for an old one that had no film nor case. The camera is pink, and much larger than the SONY digital cameras students normally bring to school. 

“It means a lot because I get to take photos of people I love and the things that I like, and I can use it for my scrapbook that I’m going to make,” Priya said.

Priya emphasized the sentimentality of being able to capture moments as they come, and having a camera being the perfect way to do so. This is what he intends to use the camera for during his senior year— to collect photos of times with his loved ones that will then be placed in his scrapbook.

“I guess it [the camera] reminds me of being able to capture a memory and keep it with you,” Priya said.

Robin

Robin Lopez Recendiz is a senior in the Graphic Design shop class who is showcasing a bottle of bubbles and a bubble wand. 

The yellow plastic bottle that holds the soap is long and slender, with a bubble wand inside that you must twist the top of to open.  It is adorned with a large, yellow duck.

Robin bought the bubbles as a way to stay playful and have fun, but also to distract himself from his thoughts during senior year. 

“I got bubbles to keep myself busy from my thoughts— keeping myself whimsical—and I’ve been wanting bubbles for fun,” Robin said.

Additionally, being a huge SpongeBob Squarepants fan, Robin identifies his admiration for the character’s optimism as another reason for the value given to the bubbles:

“It reminds me of Spongebob with his bubbles. He is always so jolly, and he is my motivation. So, I want his mentality,” Robin said.

Lamia

Lamia Rahman is a senior in the Medical Assisting shop class who when faced with this prompt, pulled out her keychain that was gifted to her by her sister. 

The metal keychain is a dark gold in color, with pink flowers hooked onto its chains. The final charm on it is circular, with the letter “L” on it. 

Lamia connects the keychain to her identity– sharing the significance of its design and how it displays her preferences. 

“I love the color, the design, and how it has [my] initials. It just feels like me,” Lamia said “I feel like this year as a senior I’ve gotten more comfortable with my identity. I got this [the keychain] my senior year as well.”

Roopa

Roopa Baljit is a senior in the Graphic Design shop class, and when asked about the prompt, showed off her BT21 character charms gifted to her.

The BT21 characters are the result of a collaboration between LINE FRIENDS– a global character brand created by South Korean designer Kang Byeong Mok– and BTS, a popular K-pop band. She has two charms – one of them being a pink rabbit, the other a brown chocolate cookie, and she displays them proudly on her keys.

Roopa had been a major fan of the band since middle school, and so receiving official merchandise had not only been a thoughtful gift, but also something she would remember fondly even after graduation. 

To this day, she can still picture the day she had been given the charms, and the excitement she had felt.

“These were like, the first ever set of official things I got that are BTS-related, and she [her friend]  gave me a shirt too– I still have it,” Roopa said “They are characters from the people who inspire me to live life to the fullest, and continue to live life through the obstacles you encounter.”

Final Thoughts

With June—and by extension graduation—right around the corner, seniors are caught up in their exams, tests and other major stressors such as finalizing their college decisions.

However, this year is also meant to be a time of celebration  and reflection– which many of those who shared these valuable items displayed.

 No matter how new or how old items we may value are now, they show off personality and growth as not just students, but people— and that is something worth looking back on years later after graduation.