It’s the time of year when seniors break out their inner third grader. That’s right, it’s senior sack time.
This tradition is a senior’s form of expressing that they do not care about school anymore.
Senior sacks have traditionally been worn by male students, but in the past years there has been a push by senior girls to join in.
The original drawstring backpacks have now evolved into child backpacks with the likes of Mario and Luigi or Lightening McQueen logos.
Senior Sylvia Williams said, “I want to get a senior sack. I think it would be a fun way to ring in the reality of being a second semester senior and almost graduating.”
Senior Zoe Linares also likes the idea of sporting a sack, “Many of my friends have senior sacks, and I plan on getting one sometime soon.”
This male dominated tradition may have formed because, for the most part, boys are more willing to flaunt their apathy. It can be part of the senior boy persona.
Nate Friefeld explained, “Senior boys wear senior sacks more because no one wants to carry as much stuff. Also it is the epitome of Senioritis.”
Boys don’t seem to have a problem accepting girls who wear what has traditionally been a trend for boys.
“I’ve got a neutral state with this. Anyone can go to Walgreens and buy one so anyone should be able to wear one. Senior sacks have no barriers for me, we’re all out of here in a few months, so why not have fun now,” said senior Justin Truong.
Senior Corey Nagel agrees, “You don’t see girls wearing senior sacks that much because traditionally it hasn’t been for them. But if I did see it, that would be pretty cool.”
Senior Christain Koules would admire girls for wearing one, “I would probably complement their senior sack. I’ve got no negative opinions; anyone can and should be able to wear one.”
Senior Jose Rodriguez thinks that girls’ sacks can often be funnier, “Actually of all the senior sacks you see, the ones that the girls have are usually the funniest, so with that said, I do not mind if girls wear senior sacks.”
If many New Trier students claim that they don’t mind senior girls donning senior sacks, then why do senior girls not wear them as much as boys do?
Senior Griffin Powell said, “Most girls have purses and speciality bags anyway, as opposed to guys who usually wear conventional backpacks, so there is no need for them to wear a senior sack, because their personality is shown every day.”
Rodriguez agrees, “Girls already carry around designer bags (most notably Lululemon, purses, and stylish bags to put school materials in), so they have no need to carry around a senior sack come second semester. Their personality is already shown with the other bags they use.”
The aspect of showing your personality is also a major factor of wearing a senior sack.
Freifeld said, “My favorite part about the senior sacks is that they show personality of the person wearing them. They are so much more telling about a personality than just a regular backpack.
Senior Bea Maloney appreciates the idea of a senior sack, but does not think that they are practical. She explained, “I think they’re hysterical, but I could never carry one. I like having a lot of stuff with me.”