As the school year comes to an end, it’s time to sneak a peek into the lives and backpacks of our graduating seniors! We’ve all carried around textbooks, notebooks, and bulky water bottles, but what exactly are the essentials that have carried our seniors through their four years at Ledyard High School? 

Senior Lia Day has a mix of everything! She has a variety of snacks and notebooks, featuring popcorn, crackers, Rice Krispies Treats, and more. She says, “I’ve had the same backpack since 5th or 6th grade, but I got a new one this year, and now my backpack is clean and can hold all my snacks!” These essentials have helped Lia Day get through these past four years and to graduation! She will be attending Endicott College for the next four years and plans on taking her trusty backpack with her.

On to the next senior, we have Sydney Bradham. BradhamSydney attended Ledyard High School for three years, the first year she was in Texas. She likes to keep her backpack simple. She says, “I’ve had my backpack since freshman year, and I will probably have it all four years of college; it’s been very durable, and it was expensive.” Bradham plans to take her backpack to Southern Connecticut State University, where she will attend for the next four years!

Senior Sarah Vincent loves her backpack. She says, “It holds my gum and I love chewing gum when I’m bored, it has my keys so I can leave school, and it has my calculator so I can know the answers to my math questions.” Vincent also has three pockets on her backpack, but chose her favorite pocket. Her backpack also features a $5 bill, and when asked about it, she said, “I love money and my backpack is good at holding it.” Vincent plans on attending the University of Rhode Island for the next four years, and while her new backpack works great, she plans on getting a different backpack for college.

Hadley Kirkland has quite a variety of objects in her backpack. She has her AirPods, keys, lip gloss, and even her lucky duck. When asked about her backpack, she said, “It holds my keys and my lucky duck that helps me pass all my tests.” Kirkland has passed multiple tests because of her lucky duck, and plans on taking her backpack and lucky duck with her to college.

Senior Baileigh Johnson is on the Ledyard High School cheerleading and lacrosse teams. When asked what her favorite part of her backpack was, she said, “My daise perfume and my keys, so I can leave, are one of my favorite things!”Johnson plans to continue her journey at Collectiv Academy through their cosmetology program!

Senior Najeily Sanchez has participated in the indoor track team, along with the Ledyard High School girls’ soccer team. Over the years, she has had many items in her backpack, but the items that have always stayed are her snacks! When asked about her favorite part of her backpack, she said, “My snacks are my favorite part because I get hungry.” In the photo below, a tasty, unique snack is featured from Sanchez’s backpack: cheese, nuts, and salami. This is just one example of the snacks that Sanchez carries with her. 

Our seniors carry a lot in their backpacks. They have folders, keys, AirPods, snacks, and anything else you could think of. They each have their priorities, and their backpacks show it. Their backpacks represent a class on the brink of new adventures, but are filled with memories. 

Amanda Vincent, Staff Writer

Junior Amanda Vincent is a staff writer for the 2024-2025 Colonel Newsmagazine. She likes soccer, golden retrievers, and Taylor Swift.