Money, Travel, College Dominate Hoped-for Gifts for Graduates
As high school graduates march down aisles to the collective strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” this coming week, there may be more than diplomas awaiting them.
Hot Topics wonders: “What do you expect to receive as a graduation present?”
“I would like a hug and a kiss, and a surprise.”
Jessica Monson, 17, senior, Bethel Baptist
“I want first and last month’s rent on an apartment.”
Angela Marx, 17, senior, Bethel Baptist
“I want a briefcase, a new suit and money. It would help me in my first year of college.”
Marcus Endert, 17, senior, Bethel Baptist
“A lot of money.”
John Groner, 18, senior, Capistrano Valley
“A Movado watch.”
Amy Shaw, 17, senior, Capistrano Valley
“I really don’t know yet. It’s a surprise.”
Cathlin Engelerdt, 18, senior, Capistrano Valley
“All I’m getting is a trip to Mazatlan and Hawaii.”
Dana Hafer, 18, senior, Capistrano Valley
“I’m going to Hawaii with my girlfriend.”
Darren Rodda, 18, senior, Capistrano Valley
“A diamond ring.”
Jennifer Skeggs, 17, senior, Esperanza
“Money, a typewriter and college.”
Christy McCullough, 17, senior, Esperanza
“A new surfboard.”
Robert McCafferty, 17, senior, Esperanza
“A Mustang convertible, a trip to Hawaii and a big grad party.”
Stacey Martinez, 17, senior, Esperanza
“A Martin Z-28 acoustic guitar.”
Robert Stave, 18, senior, Esperanza
“A car.”
John Beth, 17, senior, Estancia
“A bicycle for UCLA.”
Anh Nguyen, 18, and Neven Burica, 18, seniors, Estancia
“Money for college.”
Danny Clark, 18, senior, Heritage
“A new stereo.”
Tim Noyes, 18, senior, Heritage
“Maybe nothing.”
Yukie Oda, 18, senior, Heritage
“Probably a new fashion designer’s kit.”
Glenel Zeilstra, 18, senior, Heritage
“A whole new wardrobe.”
Michelle Chase, 18, senior, Heritage
“A computer.”
Matt Klitsel, 18, senior, Irvine
“A trip to Puerto Vallarta and jewelry.”
Katerina Mitrevski, 18, senior, Marina
“A plane ticket to Russia.”
Julie Mercier, 16, senior, Marina
“A trip to Mazatlan and lots of money.”
Mike Resurreccion, 18, senior, Marina
“I really don’t know what to expect for graduation. I will probably receive money and maybe a nice bike.”
Allison Krause, 18, senior, Marina
“My parents are giving me a party.”
Catherine Ivey, 18, senior, Marina
“My parents are going to pay for half of my trip to Hawaii and I’m probably going to receive money.”
Anita Romero, 18, senior, Pacifica
“My parents paid for my month-long visit to Germany last summer.”
Tonia Wong, 18, senior, Pacifica
“A lot of hugs from people I might never see again.”
Patti Wu, 18, senior, Pacifica
“Money, computer and a trip to Hawaii.”
Amy Farrier, 17, senior, San Clemente
“Money, jewelry, and a trip to, hopefully, a lot of little places.”
Melissa Fish, 18, senior, San Clemente
“I don’t know; my mom’s teasing me.”
Amy Henderson, 18, senior, San Clemente
“A leather jacket and a computer.”
Kim Denyer, 18, senior, San Clemente
“College and a party.”
Tiffany Randolph, 18, senior, San Clemente
“A new sports car, as fast as a rocket and as smooth as silk . . . in other words, a CRX.”
Jenny Araiza, 18, senior, Santa Ana
“Money, lots of money.”
Krystal Dunn, 17, senior, Santa Ana
“A ticket to some far-off land.”
David Layden, 18, senior, Santa Ana
“To go on a Caribbean cruise.”
Lynatte Gonzales, 18, senior, Tustin
“To go on a cruise to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.”
Crystal Lathrope, 18, senior, Tustin
“A Saab car.”
Lara Kowalik, 18, senior, Tustin
“I get to watch a car race in Pennsylvania this summer.”
Gary Trachy, 18, senior, Tustin
“Probably some money.”
Duc Nyugen, 18, senior, University
“A computer.”
Lauren Alpert, 18, senior, University
“A new car.”
Young Chang, 18, senior, University
“Escape from high school and congratulations. Also, hopefully, I’ll have pleasant memories.”
John Musgrave, 18, senior, University
“My parents are helping me pay for my trip to Israel.”
Alex Terman, 17, senior, University
“I want a really nice bike.”
Arian Mowlavi, 18, senior, University
“A huge, raging party and a trip to Hawaii.”
Chris Mier, 17, senior, Western
“Lots of money.”
Ken Schmaling, 18, senior, Western
“Lots of support and a party.”
Terry Perez, 18, senior, Western
“Getting to spend the rest of my life with my girlfriend, Kelley.”
A.J. Gordon, 18, senior, Western
Hot Topic responses were gathered by Angela Conner, John Doney, Roxane Dyrud, Crystal Fu, Jenny Kaplan, Cutie Lee, Rebecca Leung, Heather Orey, Hai Pham, Gabriel Saldivar, Cindy Shaver, Adrian Silva and Ed White
