Senior backpacks have become a beloved tradition at Chapman.

Before their senior year, students purchase backpacks featuring their favorite childhood movies, TV shows or characters.

The tradition, which started just a few years ago, has become a way for students to show how carefree their childhood was before facing the responsibilities of the real world.

Principal Matt Davis said he thinks one reason students take part is to close that chapter of their lives as they begin their careers.

“I think they’re trying to say, I’m finishing up and putting up, you know, a period or an exclamation point at the end of their high school career,” Davis said. “And I think it’s pretty cool myself.”

Assistant Principal Carrie Forrest said the tradition is meaningful because of the memories attached to the shows students grew up watching.

“I think the memories of them watching those shows and how much they loved them make the tradition special,” Forrest said.

For many seniors, the backpacks are a fun way to connect with their past. Rowen Raney said she enjoys seeing the variety of designs in the hallways.

“I love it,” Raney said. “I love the tradition of it. I think it’s great that people can wear backpacks with shows they loved in their childhood on them.”

Raney carries a Minnie Mouse backpack, though she admitted she just picked it from Amazon since she did not watch much TV growing up.

Other students selected backpacks because of their deeper connection to certain characters. Owen Walker said he grew up playing Pokémon, which made his choice easy.

“I got a Pokémon senior backpack because I grew up playing it,” Walker said.

Preslee Taylor also tied her decision to a childhood favorite, choosing a “Paw Patrol” backpack. She said she picked it because Skye was her favorite character and because she loves pink.

“I chose it because it’s pink and really fun, and I just really like it,” Taylor said.

Maria Ducker carried the same approach into her choice. She picked Olaf from “Frozen,” a character she has loved for years. As a child, she even had her own Elsa dress that she never wanted to take off.

“I have always resonated with Olaf because he’s kinda like me. He likes hugs, and I like hugs,” Ducker said. “He’s just so cute, and he’s a little sweet guy, and I just love my backpack.”