Gifts for grads vary, pricey


By Ariel Serafin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

For graduating seniors, May is filled with a variety of joyous events, including the graduation ceremony, plenty of parties to attend and the eagerly-awaited graduation gifts.

Students held a variety of opinions about what present could possibly make up for their time and hard work during their tenure as UA students.

Scott Albrechtsen, an agricultural economics and management senior, had a unique item in mind.

"I've already told my parents about it and I want a motorcycle," Albrechtsen said. "My dad owns three and I've always wanted some."

Like many students, Jessamyn Meek, an accounting senior, thought the best gift was the kind that comes in a small envelope.

"I think the best gift is money because nobody really likes things like pens or luggage," Meek said.

Casey Mundell, a history senior, also agreed that money would be a great way to help him celebrate his accomplishments as a student.

"My ideal graduation present would be money so I could spend it on my credit card and my truck," said Mundell, who was pleased to have received the craved cash as well as a graduation ring.

Chelsea Baraff, a molecular and cellular biology senior, said she already knew what her graduation gift of money would be spent on.

"A nice digital camera and a trip to Hawaii," Baraff said. "I got really cheap plane tickets so I thought I'd take my boyfriend."

Amy Hermalik, a sociology and political science senior, said she will also get a trip as her graduation gift, but of a different sort.

"My parents are helping me move to California and set up my new place," said Hermalik.

Hermalik is deferring from going to law school to participate in Teach for America. She will spend the next two years teaching at an elementary school in Compton, Calif.

Some students said they did not expect many gifts because their parents had already helped them in other ways.

Erin McEwen, an interdisciplinary studies senior, said she wasn't expecting anything huge but felt she had earned a little recognition for herself.

"I'm graduating magna cum laude so I deserve a little something," said McEwen, who would enjoy a graduation party with her family and friends as a gift.

Tom Monaco, a computer science senior, said he felt his parents had done more than give him a gift already.

"I'd say my parents paid for my college, so that already settles it," Monaco said.