Inside the backpack of the everyday Lick-Wilmerding student lie pencils, binders, textbooks, a laptop. Seemingly uniform in its content, the backpack can be mistaken for just another tool, merely a holder for all of your daily necessities. But as we dive deeper into the magical emporium that is the backpack, as we unpack its myriad of layers, we realize that a backpack is a personal and idiosyncratic home that each person carries on their back. Within the pockets of one truly dedicated backpack-wearer is an ostrich, an autobiography of Justin Trudeau, black-and-white photos of Loic Marcon ’17; the list goes on. In the backpack’s many pockets rest a sasquatch action figure, a copy of the Declaration of Independence translated into pig Latin, and a small bonsai tree. The possibilities are endless. But the backpack is not just a holder of everything. The backpack, itself, is everything. One’s bag reflects fundamental facets of one’s personality. The color, the style, the size, the structure, every part of the backpack paints a picture of its wearer’s soul. In this article, we will unzip the pockets and unpack the layers of the Lick-Wilmerding backpack. Like the LWHS community itself, there is so much that it holds.
Q & A:
George Dicke’s Backpack
Eddie Dilworth: How long have you had your backpack?
George Dicke ’17: My sister gave me this backpack to me the summer she went to college, which makes it even more special to me. So not only is the backpack such a cool-looking fashion piece that I like to show off, but it also reminds me of my sister.
Dilworth: What is the most fashionable way you can wear your backpack?
Dicke: I’m a big big one strap guy, I’m not going to lie. Some people diss on the one strap guys, saying that they are lazy, but I think it’s making a fashion statement… It’s almost like having a one-strap is going against the stream, you know, it’s going against the flow of things. Going two straps is too mainstream.
Dilworth: OK, so this is a fun one. On a scale of one to George Michael, how awesome is your backpack?
Dicke: From one to George Michael, I’m not sure what to go between. Like, would a step below be like Prince? Or do you think you just go George Michael or one?
Dilworth: I really think it’s like 1, George Michael. And in between you have, ¼ George Michael, ½ George Michael…
Dicke: Ohhh. I would say like ¾ George Michael not fully George Michael. Being George Michael, no one can, nothing can be as good as George Michael. But my backpack, I think it comes close. Just sometimes I know it looks crazy with some of my outfits, but I mean, I’m OK with that. It’s just the statement that matters to me.
Dilworth: To what extent does your backpack represent your soul as a person?
Dicke: I think it does represent my soul. The different colors and varieties of the leaves themselves and the vibrancy of the character of the backpack, it kind of correlates to what I think of me being a vibrant, outgoing person…I have different backpacks, actually. I didn’t wear this backpack originally. So, I think that jumping around from backpack to backpack and finally landing on this one shows to me that I finally found my soul.
Zelda Perkins’ Backpack
photo by Robin von Breton
Eddie Dilworth: What are some of the most interesting features of your bag?
Zelda Perkins ’19: Well I really like that it is accessible, portable, and fashionable. I can bring it around anywhere.
Dilworth: What is the most fashionable way you can wear it? Perkins: I wear it like a regular purse and put it on one shoulder. You know, that cool kid look.
Dilworth: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever put in your bag? Perkins: Give me a second to think…
Dilworth: You should know this off of the top of your h— Perkins: A bonsai tree!! I was in Japan Town shopping with my friend and I put a bonsai tree in there, a small one.
Dilworth: If you had to survive in the wilderness for one day…what would you bring in your bag?
Perkins: I would bring Dora the Explorer because she has everything in her backpack. Or I would bring Dora the Explorer’s backpack… She has like the map guy, her flashlight, snacks, you know. I think I’d bring my fruit snacks, those are really important. A lot of nutrition.
Dilworth: All part of a balanced breakfast?
Perkins: Yes, exactly. Thank you.
Dilworth: On multiple occasions, you have described your backpack as the epitome of the American Dream.
Perkins: (Laughing loudly) Have I?
Dilworth: Could you elaborate a little on that?
Perkins: Umm…my backpack is kind of the best in every way, it’s portable, it’s fun—
Dilworth: Is America portable? (Extended pause)
Dilworth: Anyway, do you have any fashion tips for other bag-wearers?
Perkins: Bag-wearers?
Dilworth: Yes, and that’s one word with a hyphen.
Perkins: Umm…get something that really represents you. If you’re fun and crazy, represent that. Or if you want more neutral tones, have that. Just represent you.
Shorter Answers:
Michecia Jones’ Backpack
Eddie Dilworth: Pick five words to describe your backpack.
Michecia Jones (English Teacher): Muted, intricate, ethnic, practical, lovable.
Dilworth: How does your backpack represent a key component of your personality?
Jones: I think the five words I choose to describe my backpack also accurately describe my personality. I tend to be reserved, I think complex thoughts, I’m a person of color, I favor practicality, and—of course—I’m lovable.
Chaiya Taylor-Jackson’s Backpack
Eddie Dilworth: Pick five words to describe your backpack.
Chaiya Taylor-Jackson: Weird, lopsided, heavy, bodacious, and turtle-like.
Dilworth: How does your backpack represent a key component of your personality?
Taylor-Jackson: It’s crazy and weird. You don’t see many people with a galaxy backpack. Really the only people I’ve seen with this backpack are old men. It’s also creative and I’m creative too.
Shaun Lopez’s Backpack
Eddie Dilworth: Pick five words to describe your backpack.
Shaun Lopez: Wordly, practical, indestructible, nurturing, and mysterious.
Dilworth: How does your backpack represent a key component of your personality?
Lopez: My packpack represents my love of history — I love my backpack because it has so many stories.
