Walking through the halls of Jackson-Reed, it’s hard not to notice the wide variety of funky backpacks our student body sports. Yet, it’s not uncommon to see the same backpacks ruling the halls of Jackson-Reed, making you wonder what the secret appeal is that seems to have such a hold on everyone. So, we decided to finally take matters into our own hands and figure out the inspiration behind why we see the bags we do every day.
We started off strong with one of the more unique bags you will find at Jackson-Reed. Sophomore Ripley Kamlay’s backpack on wheels. This pink and purple bag carries everything she needs, and protects her posture and shoulders all at the same time! Even with all its benefits, Kamlay made sure to mention that stairs can be a little challenging (for obvious reasons), but the few minutes she spends carrying it up our overcrowded stairwells doesn’t seem to stop her love for this bag. Consider making an addition to the JR halls and join Kamlay, giving our backs the break we all know it wants.
Recently, you may have noticed some obnoxiously large bags in the halls with fall sports in full effect, specifically ones with soccer balls sticking out at the bottom. Well, sophomore Celia Joldersma, a member of our very own girl’s soccer team, gave us some direct insight into what this bag really has to offer. This spacious bag came with her commitment to the DC soccer team and is now something she would consider a daily staple, providing enough room to carry everything she needs for day-to-day practice. She made sure we knew how this bag is significantly more effective and spacious compared to the JR one.
Continuing with the sports theme, we thought it was vital to mention the classic and incredibly- popular North Face backpack. This bag is very common amongst the Jackson-Reed community, (surveying over 47 North Face bags in just one day), but for good reason. We went to sophomore Maria Joyce-Johnson to learn about just how much she loves this bag. When deciding which backpack to upgrade to a few months ago, she felt that the obvious choice was a North Face. As an avid crew kid, Joyce-Johnson relies on her North Face backpack to carry all the supplies she needs. Her sneakers get strapped to the back with the help of the incredible bungees, her clothes get rolled up at the bottom thanks to the never-ending space, and her extensive collection of notebooks all fit into the many pockets provided. Even if this backpack isn’t being used to its full potential, like how Joyce-Johnson is, it still remains a fan favorite with its stylish and outdoorsy appeal.
A final note to the struggles of our Jackson-Reed athletes is the double backpack. Whether it’s morning practice or a game after school, one backpack simply cannot do it all. Junior Sarah Bocian, a JR field hockey player, shares how when she has a game or practice after school, which requires her jersey, shoes, and stick, none of her essential game-day gear can fit in her regular backpack. Unfortunately, JR does not provide field hockey players with backpacks, so Bocian had to purchase her own.
Carrying two backpacks all around the school is unenjoyable, to say the least. Some choose to deal with the pain while others get lockers. But those on the field hockey, lacrosse, and baseball teams don’t have the luxury of a locker, as their bats and sticks are simply too large.
