To make a simple backpack more fun, many M-A students flaunt colorful pins and keychains that show off their personality as they walk around campus. From PAW Patrol to bunny roll cake keychains, let’s look at how students personalize their backpacks.
Morgan Barrows
Senior Morgan Barrows’ backpack is crammed with decorations, ranging from NASA pins to funny Spiderman memes. Many of her NASA pins come from her grandfather, who worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center as a programmer. She also has a Triggerfish pin, symbolizing her time living in Guam. “I used to swim with those fish and one bit my butt while snorkeling,” she said.
Aiko Robinson
Freshman Aiko Robinson’s backpack is decorated with colorful pins depicting a variety of characters. “I like the Murakami keychains because he’s a famous artist and those characters are his main symbol,” Robinson said.
Connor Pfaff
Junior Connor Pfaff’s minimalistic backpack features two character keychains, including Miffy, a Dutch rabbit, and Smiski, a Japanese glow-in-the-dark collectible. “I got these keychains while traveling, so they hold special memories of those times,” Pfaff said. “I love these characters and it’s fun to have them with me all day.”
Cassandra Escorza
Two simple keychains adorn sophomore Cassandra Escorza’s backpack. She has a huarache keychain from the San Jose flea market. “It’s meaningful to me because it’s part of my culture and hand-made,” Escorza said. Next to the huaraches, she has a ghost cat plush to show her love for her cat and Halloween.
Jose Guzman
“My first keychain was one of a tailbone because my brother broke his butt riding a bike,” sophomore Jose Guzman said. Next to it, he has a Lego keychain to showcase his longtime love for building Legos.
Lexi Chua
Senior Lexi Chua decorates her backpack with keychains and pins gifted by friends and family. Many of her keychains are strawberry-themed, including her bunny roll cake and milk can keychains. “All of the keychains I’ve received from my friends are meaningful because looking at them reminds me of my friends,” Chua said. Alongside her strawberry keychains, she has an assortment of Pompompurin—the cuddly Sanrio golden retriever—pins along with ribbon pins.
