At the start of every school year, students clamor to stuff their backpacks with the essentials.
Some commonly thrown in items are gum, tangled headphones, maybe the occasional forgotten math worksheet or two. When asked what the most unexpected thing sophomore Sanvi Swain keeps with her is, she doesn’t hesitate: she keeps a harmonica.
“The most unexpected thing in my bag right now is probably my harmonica,” Swain said. “You know what they say, you never know when you might need one.”
Her backpack, according to her, lands right in the middle of organized and chaotic. Even in its in-between state, everything inside reveals a big part of who she is, from her hobbies to her mindset.
Currently enrolled in 2D Animation, among all the items in her bag one item stands out above the rest: her sketchbook. Filled with drawings and notes and practically begging for a day off, it’s the one object that embodies her. Amidst a busy schedule, Swain finds time in her day to sketch doodles.
“The item that represents me best is most definitely my sketchbook,” Swain said. “You can tell what I like at the time and how I feel with every page. I typically draw people, historical figures and sometimes founding fathers.”
After further browsing you would find her flashcards. Swain is also an avid history lover, a passion that started back in eighth grade with a teacher who first sparked her interest. From the French Revolution to the East India Company, she quickly found herself fascinated by the stories of the past. Perhaps this is why if she were a character from a show, she insists she’d be Benedict Arnold from Turn: Washington’s Spies.
“I have done some fairly impressive and good things in general but I have this flaw where I keep trying to do as much as possible, in turn stressing and frustrating myself,” Swain said. “The only one I have to blame for this problem is me.”
Academically, through the many scattered notecards and loose-leaf papers in her bag, you’ll find her year has a clear toughest class: AP Biology.
“I never have been very STEM-oriented before, but it is pushing me to be better,” Swain said. “I like to challenge myself with courses that I’m not familiar with to broaden my horizons. I have to confess it’s been tough, though.”
Despite the setbacks, she’s sticking with it and finding small victories along the way. AP Biology has tested her patience and pushed her out of her comfort zone, but she’s taken it in stride by celebrating every concept she masters. On the opposite end of the spectrum is World History, the class she feels completely at ease in.
“It’s a class I flourish in and because the teacher is great. I don’t have to stress about it as much as I can engage in the topic without trying too hard,” Swain said.
Her love for humanities based subjects also translates to her extracurriculars. Swain is active outside of school hours, taking part in OPHS’ Mock Trial team as a witness. She enjoys stepping into various roles and thinking on her feet; she praises the supportive environment and notes that it encourages her to invigorate herself.
“It’s kind of fun pretending to be someone else and seeing how you’d react in that situation,” Swain said. “This year I’m a witness for the team and I’m excited to see where it’ll go.”
She’s also a huge fan of Hamilton, captivated by the way it blends history and storytelling into something both entertaining and meaningful.
“I’ve watched it so many times, and I still get chills during ‘My Shot,’” Swain said. “It’s amazing how they make history feel alive and relevant, and it just makes me want to learn more about the people behind the stories. I truly appreciate the visual storytelling while it holds true to actual history.”
Altogether, the items in her bag, from the harmonica to the sketchbook strongly reflect her out of the box thinking and creative nature. Her backpack might be “somewhere between,” but the things inside tell a clear story: she’s someone who likes to stay inspired and prepared … just in case a harmonica comes in handy.
