A car, a laptop, a TV, a motorcycle — those are just a few of the big-ticket items high school seniors wish they would get for graduation. But cash will be OK, too.

“I’m just collecting money,” said Vicksburg High senior Stefon Demby, the son of William Demby and Stefanie Roman.

“I want a car, but I mostly need money,” said VHS classmate Jamaal Lindsey, the son of Alexander Allen and Mary Lindsey. “I need to pay for books, food…housing when I go to college.”

He plans to attend Hinds in Raymond and study counseling or social work. To build his college fund, Jamaal is working part time, busing tables at Ameristar.

“I want everything to go toward school,” he said.

Warren Central senior Shaunja Patrick, the daughter of Sue Patrick and Larry Barnum, also welcomes money: “I would use it toward buying stuff for college like a refrigerator and a microwave.”

Shaunja also plans to attend Hinds, where she will study biochemistry. She will work this summer as a head lifeguard at the city pool.

Hinds, a state-funded community college, costs about $4,000 a year, including classes, housing and meals. Fees at a four-year, public university can run as high as $10,000 a year.

Keepsake items for grads remain a staple.

“We sell engraved gifts and silver frames,” said Doug Tanner of A.L. Tanner Jewelers & Gifts. “It’s all in the range of $10 to $50.”

The top five things graduates are wanting, according to Web polls, are a vacation, car, money, laptop or desktop computer, or stock or certificate of deposit.

VHS senior Darian Carral, the son of Gwendolyn Appleby, plans to enroll at Alcorn in the fall and study agricultural economics. He’s not asking much: “I want a million dollars, but I really just want to have a fun graduation night.”