Name: Youngblood gives away car for good school attendanceYoungblood gives away car for good school attendance
First, there was the squeal. Then hopping up and down. Waving the arms. Hands hiding the face in disbelief. More squealing. More hopping. More hiding.
Parkview junior Haley Griggs, 17, was excited to win a new car. But just excessively so.
"I didn't think this would happen; it's a real, real big shock!" said Haley, who won a 2010 Kia Forte LX valued at $15,985 from Youngblood Kia, 3410 S. Campbell. "I'm thrilled to have a car to rely on, instead of having to get my mom to take me places all the time. This is big independence!"
The Kia Forte, complete with SIR-IUS satellite radio and with city/highway fuel economy of 25/34 miles per gallon, was the prize for students who had exceptional attendance throughout the past school year. Those attaining at least 95 percent attendance (Haley was at 97 percent) had their names drawn, from each of Springfield's five high schools; those finalists participated in the final drawing at Youngblood Kia at 4:00 on Thursday, May 27; Dr. Norman Ridder, superintendant of school, drew the winning name.
"Congratulations to all of you," Brad Teague, Kia sales manager, told the crowd. "Mr. (John) Young-blood and Mr. (Chuck) Wiersch are proud to be able to sponsor this event, because they believe that attendance is very important. They're highly committed to education and to the city of Springfield, and they're proud to do this every year. We're all very proud of you; keep up the good job."
As she watched her daughter checking out the car, Haley's mom, Janette, who works at home, was relieved at the thought of getting a break from frequent interruptions to shuttle her daughter to school and other activities. "I don't have to take her to school or work any more," she said. "This is just a blessing, you have no idea!"
Meanwhile, Haley was busily checking out her new car, and pulling friends over to sit inside with her. She turned to Teague and asked, "Can I take it home today?"
"I don't know why not," he answered.
More squealing. More hopping up and down. More hiding her face.
When you simply attend class like you're supposed to, the payoff doesn't get much better than that.
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