Fuzzy friends continue comforting students through college

Chapman students share the origin stories behind their stuffed animals and why they brought them to college. Illustration by Sam Andrus, photo editor

Take one look in my room, and you’ll find what stands out the most — besides the contrasting pink and blue walls — are the plush creatures of all shapes and sizes littered across my bed.

I’ve collected stuffed animals all my life. Something about the feeling of their soft fur provides a sense of comfort, though the textures have grown more weathered over the years. Notable members of my stuffed animal troupe include Winnie the Pooh, a corgi named Tater and the Big Yellow Dog given to me by my aunt and uncle when I was seven. 

Just a glimpse at each of my furry friends sparks distinct memories. Like when my sister, Tiffany, eagerly picked out a stuffed black pup that resembled our family dog, Samantha. While I did not bring all of my stuffed animals with me to Orange, I did bring some to make my apartment feel more like home. 

I soon discovered I’m not the only Chapman student with a soft spot for stuffed animals.. 

Allie Kitaguchi, a second year graduate student majoring in screenwriting, recalled visiting Build-A-Bear Workshop with her father and creating stuffed animals after  her pet cats’ likeness. It became a habit — every time she got a new pet, she would also get a stuffed animal to match. 

“I had a black lab when I was a kid, named Onyx … she was like our best friend,” Kitaguchi said. “She was the coolest dog ever. She was the perfect first dog for a family. She didn’t bark at people, she didn’t bite anybody, she never tried to fight other dogs and she wasn’t aggressive.” 

When Kitaguchi was nine, her uncle gave her a stuffed animal version of Onyx. The plushie accompanied her all the way from Fredrick, Maryland to Orange, California and remains by her side to this day. 

Once, when Kitaguchi was ten years old at a sleepover with her grandparents, she realized she had forgotten Onyx at home. She stayed up the whole night crying, and ever since, she makes sure to take the stuffed dog with her everywhere.

“I was convinced I would never be able to sleep without it,” Kitaguchi said. “And I was right. I really don’t sleep well without it … It’s an inanimate object, but I still love it dearly.” 

Junior psychology major Maya Martinez adores a plush dragon gifted to her by her high school best friend. According to Martinez, the duo surprised each other with Valentine’s Day gifts, and coincidentally bought each other similar-looking stuffed animals from the same store.

“I have a kitten and she loves it and plays with it and it’s just so cute because every time I look at it, I think of my friend,” Martinez said. “And like it’s such a loving thing. Like a symbol of love to me seeing her play with it... it’s just adorable.”

Joseph Nunez, a first year graduate student majoring in film production, said he received an R2D2 plushie from his grandparents when he was six years old, which he recalled holding while laying with his grandmother and watching Star Wars movies.  

“I keep them displayed even if it might seem kind of … childish,” Nunez said. “But, I mean, to me it means something, and so that’s why I’m not really embarrassed of it.”

R2D2 still sits on display in Nunez’ room. As for the other stuffed animals in Nunez’ life, he said a special plan is in store for them. 

“Whenever I have kids, I plan on giving (the stuffed animals) to them and hoping that it also means something (to them) just as much as it means to me,” Nunez said.

Hannah Viquesney, a senior video game development major, had close relationships with her stuffed animals even before she was born. When Viquesney’s parents found out they were pregnant, they each made her a Build-A-Bear. Her father picked out a koala, named Fred, and her mother made her a classic grizzly bear, called Peter. 

Viquesney said the gift has all the more meaning since her mother passed away a few years ago. 

“The biggest reason I want to keep cherishing my stuffed animals is because (my mother) is  no longer here, but I still have this gift from her that she chose out specifically for me,” Viquesney said. 

Like some of the students I talked to, coming to Chapman meant saying goodbye to home. But the stuffed animals I brought with me will always bring me comfort and remind me of those who love me. Even if my stuffed animals are not in my bed, they, along with the people they represent, will always be in my heart.