Prepping for the long journey from Shanghai to Swarthmore, Sean Zhu ’29 stood at his suitcase and pondered a question.

“What should I bring that I can always, no matter what, cling to, tightly and safely?”

Among these items were postcards, a birthday card from his high school English teacher, two letters from his mom, and the invitation to his high school graduation ceremony.

“Each one of these, like snapshots or motion pictures, embodies something that has already faded away yet still really matters to me,” Zhu says, “which reminds me to always zoom out and scrutinize the bigger picture of who I am.”

For many members of the Class of ’29, prized possessions are more than keepsakes — they are anchors of memory, identity, and comfort in a season of change. From stuffed animals and blankets to musical instruments and art supplies, these items tell a story of students eager to forge new paths while holding fast to the things that keep them grounded, connected, and reminded of who they are.

Below, members of the Class of 2029 reflect on their prized possessions.

Maya Bundy ’29, of Charleston, S.C.

My most prized possession from home is my calendar. My dad makes a calendar every year full of family photos from the last year and gifts one to every member of my family for Christmas. The calendar brings me back to moments of joy and provides connection to my siblings and parents even though we are in three different states.

Nathania Chao ’29, of San Francisco, Calif.

Pengy, my penguin stuffed animal. I got him in 6th grade from a teacher, and he has seen me throughout all my highs and lows ever since. My older sisters loved playing with me and Pengy, so everytime I hug or look at him, I am reminded of home (which is 3,000 miles away).

Kevin Covington ’29, of Upper Darby, Pa.

I brought my arcade machine, but I had to take it home until my shelf arrives!

Shadia Dakam ’29, of Chamberlain, S.D.

I brought my plant, which was a struggle, because I had to fly it from South Dakota to here. 

However I could not leave without it. My plant, to me, feels like an extension of myself. It’s a reminder to take a break for self care, to drink water, to sit in the sun, to take care of my roots. It’s a reminder of how much I have grown and how much more I have to and will grow. 

Bee De Leon ’29, of Salinas, Calif.

My Monster High blanket. It’s worn and old, I’ve had it since I was 7. But through thick and thin, it’s there for me and always by my side. It’s very special to me and I can’t go anywhere without it. Also it’s purple, my favorite color.

Benjamin Greenberg ’29, of Bethlehem, Pa.

My Duolingo plush!

Caroline Higginbottom ’29, of Washington, Pa.

I brought my journals, which have a lot of the experiences I have had, reflections about the times that have made me who I am, and details about cherished memories with my friends. I also brought a blank journal to add my next experiences to!

Aurora Hill ’29, of Cambridge, Mass.

My squirrel stuffed animal. It was the first stuffie I ever had, given to me by my sister, and it’s been with me everywhere.

Brandon Liu ’29, of Wilmington, Del.

My high school yearbook.

Vance Maeshiro ’29, of Honolulu, Hawaii

My ukulele. I’m from Hawaii, so this instrument means a lot to me and the culture I grew up with. Although I also play the violin (which I brought as well), and am definitely more proficient in it, I feel like the ukulele is more meaningful to me.

"My cat Lego set; it’s the white left-paw cats that move their hands back and forth. It means a lot because this was one of the souvenirs I brought back from my trip to China this summer. I pull down the left paw for good luck as I watch it swing back and forth."

-Zuyuan Zhou ’29

"My white graphic T-shirt with the printed message 'I LOVE GUAM.' Coming from a scarcely recognizable dot on a typical map, my haven is unfamiliar to a multitude of new people. I am eager to turn this unfamiliarity into a noted pride that can follow my journey for the next chapter of my life.”

-Rianne Maria Marquez ’29

“Each one of these [cards], like snapshots or motion pictures, embodies something that has already faded away yet still really matters to me, which reminds me to always zoom out and scrutinize the bigger picture of who I am.”

-Sean Zhu ’29

"My ukulele. I’m from Hawaii, so this instrument means a lot to me and the culture I grew up with. Although I also play the violin (which I brought as well), and am definitely more proficient in it, I feel like the ukulele is more meaningful to me."

-Vance Maeshiro ’29

"The 'Guru Rinpoche Thangka,' which is a Tibetan scrolling painting on fabric of the lotus-born master, also known as guru rinpoche in Tibetan Buddhism. I feel at home having this with me not just because I am a Buddhist, but because whenever I look at it I feel at ease and that somebody has got my back, just like my parents who have always been there for me."

-Kinley Zangmo ’29

"My backpack. It’s special to me because it is full of patches from all of the national parks I have explored with my dad and brother."

-Charles Vanderpool ’29

"I brought my plant, which was a struggle, because I had to fly it from South Dakota to here. However I could not leave without it. My plant, to me, feels like an extension of myself. It’s a reminder to take a break for self care, to drink water, to sit in the sun, to take care of my roots. It’s a reminder of how much I have grown and how much more I have to and will grow."

-Shadia Dakam ’29

"I brought a box filled with letters from my family, friends, and loved ones — notes they gave me on my birthdays or to celebrate my achievements. I brought it because I want to open it again and add new letters marking my future successes at Swarthmore."

-Saraí De Los Ángeles Pérez Toyo ’29

"My Duolingo plush!"

-Benjamin Greenberg ’29

"My cat Lego set; it’s the white left-paw cats that move their hands back and forth. It means a lot because this was one of the souvenirs I brought back from my trip to China this summer. I pull down the left paw for good luck as I watch it swing back and forth."

-Zuyuan Zhou ’29

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Rianne Maria Marquez ’29, of Dededo, Guam

My white graphic T-shirt with the printed message “I LOVE GUAM.” Coming from a scarcely recognizable dot on a typical map, my haven is unfamiliar to a multitude of new people. I am eager to turn this unfamiliarity into a noted pride that can follow my journey for the next chapter of my life.

Abra Mazzeo ’29, of Provo, Utah

It's not noteworthy, but it's my notebook. I could not go anywhere without being able to write and draw. 

Charles Norris ’29, of Bear, Del.

My drawing tablet, because drawing has been my main passion for my entire life, and many years of joy and memories have come from scribbling in my own digital space.

Liam Singleton ’29, of Faith, N.C.

I brought a gift I received from an adopted older sister of mine, and it is a little Bibble stuffed animal. If you're curious what a Bibble is, it is a small creature from the Barbie movie!

Juan Torres ’29, of Bronx, N.Y.

Dino the dinosaur. He’s my baby. He’s let me hug him when I’m sad, happy, and when I have no one else to cuddle. He also protects my bed from any bad aura.

Saraí De Los Ángeles Pérez Toyo ’29, of East Elmhurst, N.Y.

I brought a box filled with letters from my family, friends, and loved ones — notes they gave me on my birthdays or to celebrate my achievements. I brought it because I want to open it again and add new letters marking my future successes at Swarthmore.

Charles Vanderpool ’29, of Arcata, Calif.

My backpack. It’s special to me because it is full of patches from all of the national parks I have explored with my dad and brother.

Kinley Zangmo ’29, of Punakha, Butan

The "Guru Rinpoche Thangka," which is a Tibetan scrolling painting on fabric of the lotus-born master, also known as guru rinpoche in Tibetan Buddhism. I feel at home having this with me not just because I am a Buddhist, but because whenever I look at it I feel at ease and that somebody has got my back, just like my parents who have always been there for me.

Zuyuan Zhou ’29, of Rosemead, Calif. 

My cat Lego set; it’s the white left-paw cats that move their hands back and forth. It means a lot because this was one of the souvenirs I brought back from my trip to China this summer. I pull down the left paw for good luck as I watch it swing back and forth. 

Luna ’29

My Macintosh floppy disk drive. It doesn't work as an actual floppy disk drive, but I love using it as a fidget toy. I have a broken floppy disk that I use for it, too!

Anonymous ’29

My most prized possession (besides the letters and photos I brought from home) is my copy of The Catcher in the Rye. I think it's the book that made me realize how much I truly love being a student, and one of my favorite books, period.