Creating a graduation heirloom

With high school graduations approaching quickly, it’s time to start thinking of the perfect gift for your graduate(s).

The senior year of high school is one of the most memorable years of a person’s life. The decisions and the memories made during that year influence us for the rest of our lives. For many it’s the last chance to hang out with friends and to just be a teenager before heading off to work or college. What better way to send your graduate into the real world than with a keepsake of his or her greatest memories?

Video heirlooms
Here are a few ways to capture those monumental moments in your graduate’s life:

• Let your graduate take the video camera to school for the day.
• Capture your son or daughter on videotape on one of his or her most important days (senior prom, state tournament, awards programs, etc.).
• Gather old family videos and pictures, and make a video of the graduate’s life. For example, use the video of all of the first days of school or of all the graduate’s birthday parties.
• Videotape important places and people in his or her life, such as the grade school, first job and favorite after-school hangout. Have a close family member or best friend narrate the video with stories or facts about the graduate for each place.

Interview Fun

• Play trivia with the graduate’s friends and family. Ask questions to see how well they really know the graduate (funny memories, favorite foods, type of car he or she drives, unusual facts about him or her) and create a video out of the responses.
• Interview family and friends.

Suggested questions:

• How do you know the graduate?
• What is your best/funniest memory of him or her?
• What words of wisdom do you want to pass along to her or him?
• What do you think the graduate will be doing in 10 years?

Video Editing
Whether you’re a beginner or pro, you can turn your home videos into works of art. All you need is the right equipment.

If you have a digital camcorder, you can install software packages on your home computer such as Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 and Pinnacle Systems Studio DV8 Video Editing Kit.  Both provide step-by-step instructions and cater to all levels of experience. Make sure the software is compatible with your computer and your digital camera or recorder.

For a more professional touch, consult the experts. Look under Video Editing or Video, Film and DVD<