Karina Chavez has collected stuffed animals since childhood. “My collection first started when I was born, when my mom gave me my first stuffed animal — a sheep,” the Anahuac junior says. “Over the years, I continued to find stuffed animals around me, in stores, thrift shops, gifts, collab cafes — or my sisters didn't want them anymore, so I took them in.” In middle school, the film major noticed she had accidently built an extensive collection. “After my mom pointed out I had many, each time I saw a stuffed animal I liked, I bought one,” she says. Karina typically buys stuffed animals from her favorite TV shows, like “Hunter X Hunter” and “Pokémon.” Her favorite stuffed animal is Xie Lian from the show “Heavens Official Blessing.” Karina says she enjoys how soft and squishy her stuffed animals. “If I’m feeling upset, I can throw them. If I feel sad, I can hug them. And if I’m bored, I’ll juggle them,” Karina says. One day, she might let go of the collection and pass them on to her younger sisters. as they will probably need them more than her one day.