Ms. Damas, oh sorry I meant to say, Ms. Carriel has developed a trend within Park City High School. A simple yet elegant fashion statement that, until recently, was either considered dead or exclusively for suburban dads. This trend, this exposition of fashion sentiment, the exquisite form of acessoryware: the fanny pack.

Students may have noticed an influx of waist-embracing carrying wear. Whether a simple black design, a creative bright scheme, or a suburban dad look. No matter the look, they all do the same job: make items easily accessible. Some packs even come equipped with interesting add-ons like water bottle koozies, waterproof pockets, and portable phone chargers.

Ms. Carriel has taken this 1980s trend from its abyss of extinction and brought it into the fluorescent lights of Park City High School. She is the symbol of this reborn movement.

Interestingly enough, it appears that within this school, no one explicitly knows how to spell her new last name. “C-a-r-r-i-e-l, do you not know how to spell my last name?” I didn’t know, but neither does anyone else.

We discussed this topic with Ms. Carriel in depth, for an arduous amount of time, or so I thought; for in reality it only lasted an immensely terse extent of time. The following is what I have cultivated from Ms. Carriel.

She reinforced why this trend has taken hold of Park City High School. Like an overly clingy boyfriend. It might never let go, even once the students leave. At least not if she has her way.

Most would ridicule individuals bringing back the fanny pack. But Ms. Carriel is the exception. She doesn’t see herself as an outcast, but rather an avant garde leader.

“[I] consider myself a trendsetter” she explained, “and it came to me in an epiphany, one day I just said, why not a fanny pack?”

In utter disbelief, Ms Carriel refined her fanny packing argument further, adding, “[I] find ‘why wouldn’t you wear a fanny pack?’ a better question than ‘why would you wear a fanny pack?’”

The re-emergence of the fanny pack trend has been focused within sophomore groups, popping up with their packs as if they possessed a precious gem that needed to be displayed to the public. Ms. Carriel sees this as her creation. “Like I said, I’m a trendsetter. I’ve actually seen more and more fanny packs especially amongst the sophomore population than I have in years here at Park City High School.”

But is Ms. Carriel defined as a trendsetter or a hipster? Hipsters can remind us of the archaic tale of Prometheus, but instead of carrying fire down from Mount Olympus for humankind, hipsters are taking old trends and making them relevant again.  Nationwide, the hipster, embodying Marty McFly, has thrust the fanny pack back to the future and into our collective consciousness.

But Ms. Carriel isn’t the only one. Fanny packs are appearing all over the world in an abundance of different outdoor activities. Cyclists, skiers, climbers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, use an evolved version of the fanny pack for hydration, storage, and music. They are simpler and specified for certain sports, so it’s not nerdy to wear one when you’re scaling the side of a mountain. But is it when you’re wearing a Galaxy Kitty teaching government in front of a class of seniors?  Is it nerdy to sport the Galaxy Kitty?

The evolution the fanny pack has, created a scenario where it is actually “cool” and useful to wear them again. It is no longer a matching accessory for knee high socks with Tevas. It has earned a new utility in our lives.

Ms. Carriel, with swiftness and charisma dives into detail regarding the usefulness of wearing the fanny pack. “I actually really enjoy the fanny pack. It started out as a little bit of a joke, Mrs. Fine helped me pick out my fanny pack. She chose Galaxy Kitty, and it’s so convenient and comfortable. I think I need one for everyday of the week.”

She touched our hearts, embraced change, and created hope. A whimsical quote from Ms. Carriel to inspire us all through our days, ”[I] think I should be that crazy lady teacher with fanny packs. That should be my thing.”

Yes, we would all love that