For many students, collecting is more than a hobby; it is a way to hold onto memories, express identity, and connect with the people and passions that matter most to them.
Freshman Caleb Dickson said he collects vintage fishing poles. The item was important to him because he enjoyed fishing and valued bringing history into the present. Since Dickson was given his first rod at age ten, he has been passionate about the craft. “Fishing is a work of art, along with their tools, is what I learned from collecting,” Dickson said.
Freshman Ivy Uible is collecting CDs, comics, Legos, movie and show posters, and records. Uible added that is still on the hunt for more CDs of her favorite bands from the 80s and more Funko Pops of superheroes. “I love physical media and think there should be more of it in the world,” Uible said.
Sophomore Anne Steinmetz collects rocks, twigs, bones, feathers, crystals, metal scraps, trinkets, Pokémon cards, My Little Pony figures, Pokémon figures, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles items. Steinmetz said she collects these items because they help her decorate her shelves. She said that it’s important to “What I learned from collecting is to never collect bones that still have animal muscles, organs, and skin; always go for bare bones,” Steinmetz said.
Sophomore Eddie Gibson said he is collecting Legos. The hobby has been a part of his life since childhood when he said he began collecting at age five. Gibson added that he is still on the hunt for Benny’s Spaceship from The Lego Movie. “Buy Lego’s with the knowledge of where it will be put once it is built, is what I learned from collecting,” Gibson said.
Junior Grace Tierney collects bottles, cans, soda tabs, event tickets, and Goat USA stickers. The hobby is important to Tierney because she has been collecting bottles since age eight, making crafts from soda tabs, and gathering Goat USA stickers since she began traveling for club volleyball. “What I learned from collecting is stay consistent and pursue the things that bring joy,” Tierney said.
Junior Tayah Nedeau said she is collecting diecast cars, mainly Hot Wheels. Nedeau collects them because she enjoys browsing vintage collectibles. She said she has found them at Walmart, antique stores, collectible stores, and auto stores. Her recommendation for finding pieces to add to her collection include “look at everything twice.”.
Senior Andrew Pence collects Magic Gathering cards. Pence has been collecting for seven years and is still on the hunt for the Ancient Copper Dragon card. The item is important to him because it is a game he could both collect and play, and it has helped him build lasting friendships. “Everyone should try and play Magic,” Pence said.
Senior Tyler Sanders is collecting disc golf discs. The hobby began when Sanders and his father got into disc golf, and Sanders developed a love for the way the discs looked. Sanders has been collecting for three years and has gathered over one hundred and fifty discs. He said that committing to a hobby and trying to find collectibles “takes persistence.”
These collections revealed that collecting is more than amassing objects; it is a deeply personal practice tied to memory and identity. The items students chose to hold onto often reflected their passions, relationships, and sense of self. Leave a comment below about any collectibles that you’ve had over the years.
The McNicholas Milestone 