can i bring a backpack with clothes in it on an airplane?

[Dan]

ok so i am flying to Dallas Texas to visit family i am an 18 year old senior and i am not brining a lot i am traveling on South West airlines and i am only brining a backpack with my clothes in it and phone charger and deodorant and a magazine and cell phone, ipod for the flight can i bring my backpack on the plane or do i have to check it into luggage (it is a normal size book bag used for school )