Everyone has a passion for something, and for some people, that means collecting things out of the ordinary. Some people collect coins, postcards or even rocks. English teacher Craig Hubbard collects Star Wars merchandise.

Hubbard has everything from action figures to posters spread across his desk and walls. He began his collection about seven years ago with a poster given to him by his wife, but has had small Star Wars toys since he was a child.

“This poster hung in my room when I taught at the YCHP (Youth Center of the High Plains),” Hubbard said. “A staff member brought me another Star Wars poster. This lead to another staff member bringing me a lightsaber and it just began to snowball from there once I started teaching at Westover Park.”

Staff members were not the only contributors to Hubbard’s collection. In fact, he didn’t buy any of it himself. Family, friends, parents and even his past students have made contributions to the collection. Hubbard has received posters, Happy Meal toys, Lego pieces, action figures and many other things from previous students. According to Hubbard, former student Tyler Funk gave the most to his collection.

“My most cherished item is a Yoda magic 8-ball,” Hubbard said. “I got this from Mrs. Hinders at Westover Park. The reason it’s my most cherished is because it belonged to her son before he passed away from cancer. Her son loved Star Wars and she knew I enjoyed it and that I would take care of it. The fact she gave me a small piece of a memory she had of her son made me proud and gives this piece a special place in my heart and collection.”

Since Hubbard has been a Star Wars fan since he was a child, he has had time to see the series develop and collect a variety of things.

“My favorite piece would either by my Han Solo/ Chewbacca Transformer piece, that turns into the Millennium Falcon, or my Darth Vader mask,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard’s collection, being out of the ordinary, tends to attract attention from students and faculty. Most people immediately ask why, says Hubbard, and tend to form certain ideas about Hubbard and his collection.

“Both students, family and friends see me as a bit of a dork, but I’m ok with that,” Hubbard said. “Also, my students tend to think my house is covered with Star Wars items, which it isn’t, or that I go home every day and watch the movies.”

Since the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977, there have been opportunities for companies to make merchandise regarding the successful movie franchise. Hubbard is one of the fans of the legendary movies.

“I always liked the whole good vs. evil storyline in Star Wars, but also enjoy the action, setting and especially the characters,” Hubbard said. “I think it provides an escape from reality, but also teaches a good lesson of good triumphing over evil.”