From Labubus to Smiskis to personalized charms, the keychains dangling from students’ backpacks across Andover are far more than accessories. Each trinket tells a story, representing fond memories of places, people, and interests. In a sea of similar backpacks, these charms stand out as subtle markers of individuality. They remind students, and those who notice them, that even the smallest objects can carry the weight of identity and connection.
Amelia Ding ’28
“I have a large cluster of keychains that look a bit worn because I’ve had them for quite a while, but to me, they’re not just old keychains, they’re a collection of memories. I have a Komi from Tokyo, a kangaroo from Australia that matches with my boyfriend, a bee from my friend Jane, a little bear from my mom when she visited Beijing Universal Studios, and a jellycat dog from my boyfriend. Many of them are gifts, which makes them even more meaningful, because it feels like I’m carrying pieces of love with me every day. They also show how thoughtful and caring my friends and family are, reminding me that I have so many people who care about me. Keychains aren’t just decorations or tools for convenience, they reflect your connections, relationships, and personality. Mine are all really cute, which shows that I’m playful, friendly, and extroverted, and that I love small, cute things.”
Selene Xu ’27
“I have a Labubu on my backpack. It’s a spring-themed one, wearing jeans, a hat, and has a flower on the clothing. It’s not one of those regular ones where the clothes are printed on, it actually has clothes. I also got a transparent case to protect it from getting dirty, especially since it has fabric. [I got this because] Labubus were really popular over the summer, and I thought this one looked nice. It also fits well with my backpack. [Overall, keychains] personalize your bag and help people not mix it up with others, especially in [Paresky] Commons. And they’re cute. Whenever I look at [my keychain], I feel happier. School is stressful, but seeing cute keychains makes me feel lighter and even a bit like a child again. People often notice [my Labubu] and comment, ‘Oh my god, you have that?’ It has started conversations with people I might not have spoken to otherwise, even if the conversations are short.”
Danielle Han ’28
“My keychain is a bunny with ‘Danielle 2025’ embroidered on its ears. I got it as a gift from my parents for my 16th birthday, and they personalized it with my name and the year I was born. This keychain means a lot to me because it’s a birthday gift from my parents, and it’s customized, which makes it really special. My keychain reminds me of my parents and how much they care about me, [and] of summer and my birthday, which are really happy memories for me. [The keychain is] really cute, and it reflects my love for life.”
Dasha Gomez ’28
“I only have one keychain, but it’s very special to me. It’s a Smiski! It really fits into the simplicity of my backpack. I love collecting Smiskis. I have a whole shelf of them at home, and I’m a bit of a collector. My Smiski reflects that I want to come across as easygoing and simple. My particular figure is just standing with a cute little pose, and that reflects me [as well]. People use [keychains] to express themselves. It makes me happy when people compliment [my keychains]. Sometimes I’ll notice someone else’s keychain and think it’s cute, and those little moments brighten my day.”
Benjamin Park ’29:
“My keychain is very minimal. It’s a tiger and some coins that people used to use a long time ago. I didn’t customize it because, first of all, I’m a very minimalistic person. I’m not like those people who wear three or more keychains. And, a really close friend I had when I was living in Canada for two years gave this to me as a goodbye present when I was going back to Korea. It helps me remember the fun times that I had when I was living in Canada. It reminds me of the times when I was really jovial and I really enjoyed living in Canada for two years with my friend. It’s just a happy memory. I’ve had this for like four to five years so far and haven’t switched it. It has some sentimental value for me, and I don’t change my keychains often, I’m not that type of person.”
