A collection of t-shirts: participate in life

Audrey Kercher ’23 Breaking News Manager

There is one drawer in my closet that is abnormally stuffed to the brim and no longer shuts properly. This drawer is packed with t-shirts—not just your everyday t-shirt, but a collection of t-shirts from every school, sport, charity or event I have ever participated in.

These old t-shirts, although worn and ratty, are much more than just cotton. These shirts are sentimentally invaluable. Each one symbolizes a part of my life and connects to a certain memory. More specifically, each t-shirt is proof that I have accomplished something or that I took part in something. They are my participation trophies in life and a reminder to continue trying new things.

My current favorite is a soft, oversized charcoal gray t-shirt with a skull on it from the gym my dad goes to and has dragged me to numer ous times. When I wear this shirt, it reminds me of the relationship I built with my dad through early mornings spent exercising. It reminds me of how fulfilling things, like being in shape, often come through hard work.

Another one of my prized shirts is a white t-shirt with faded blue lettering that I received when my ten nis team won the state championship tour nament. This is not a shirt that can be bought at the store, but in stead one that was earned not only the day that my tennis team won the state tournament but through the countless years that my team and I had put into the sport. The meaning of this shirt, like the rest of the shirts in the hard-fought victory. These moments are woven into the shirt, giving me all the more reason to hold onto it.

Although I am not a huge collector of material goods, these t-shirts inspire me to continue being an active participant in life. After high school and beyond, I will treasure my current collection, while also hoping to accumulate more t-shirts, each one symbolizing the exciting times to come.