Perrysburg H.S. senior to get a free Hyundai Elantra

0 0
microsite FREE CAR.jpg

Taylor Automotive to give a Perrysburg High School senior a free Elantra, like this one, on May 30. Enlarge

The sound of success for one Perrysburg High School senior: the rev of the engine of a brand new car.

For the third year in a row, the Taylor Automotive Family will honor one dedicated senior as part of the Driven to Succeed program.

Taylor Hyundai in Perrysburg, which again teamed up with Perrysburg High School for the popular program, will present a graduating senior with a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. All new, all free.

The drawing for the car will take place at about 11:15 a.m. May 30 in the high school’s auditorium

Stephen Taylor, general manager of the Taylor Automotive Family, who is credited with coming up with the idea for the Driven to Succeed program, will be on hand again this year for the drawing.

“It’s fun to see the shock and awe on the student’s face,” said Mr. Taylor who said there typically is a mad dash by the winner’s friends onto the stage to celebrate. “It is one of the neatest types of promotions we do. All students are so excited to have a chance to win a new car.”

Taylor Hyundai felt that promoting and honoring good student behavior, grades, attendance, and participation in extracurricular activities — coupled with the opportunity to win a brand new car — would enhance a student’s desire and commitment to do a good job throughout the entire school year.

Taylor Automotive pays for the entire package, including taxes. The winner is required to get auto insurance.

Michael Short, high school principal, said it’s a great program, providing positive incentives and generating end-of-the-year excitement as students await the day of the drawing, just ahead of graduation.

Of the roughly 340 graduating seniors, 320 were eligible to participate in the Driven to Succeed program and there are about 2,000 entries for the drawing. Perrysburg seniors can earn multiple entries, such as through teacher recommendations, good grades, and participation in extracurricular activities. Students become ineligible for reasons such as disciplinary issues.

Just ahead of the drawing May 30, the senior video will be shown, and then the screen will lift to reveal three brand new cars. Ten names of seniors will be drawn. Seven of the students will receive awards such as gift cards and movie tickets. Three seniors will get behind the steering wheels of the cars, but only one lucky winner — on the count of “1, 2, 3” — will hear the sound of an engine starting. The other two students will receive prizes, such as perhaps a savings bonds.

All of the prizes are provided by Taylor Automotive.

“It’s been great,” said Mr. Short who has asked students if the chance to win a new car has changed their behavior. “They say it has not changed their behavior a lot, but it is there in the back of their head,” he said. They know that if they do a little extra, such as to earn good grades and teacher recommendations, they can possibly earn a car,” he said. “It’s been something that’s a really neat thing for all the kids.”

And when that screen lifts to reveal the cars on the stage, students whoop and holler with excitement. “There’s my car!” some shout, hoping indeed that they drive away from Perrysburg High School in a brand new car.

Perrysburg Superintendent Tom Hosler said the program “certainly is a wonderful experience,” and noted students as well as parents get excited about the opportunity to win a new car. He said the school district is “very grateful” to Mr. Taylor and Taylor Automotive Family.

In 2011, Perrysburg High School senior Erik Delaney was the winner of the Hyundai Elantra.

Driven to Succeed is a great way to give back to the community, Mr. Taylor said, and it is just one way the Taylor Automotive Family continually gives back to the community.

Throughout the years, Taylor Automotive has been a sponsor for some of Toledo’s main events, such as the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, an LPGA golf tournament; the Red, White, KABOOM in July, and the Downtown Holiday Parade in late November.

The Taylor Automotive Family of Toledo, Perrysburg, and Findlay consists of Taylor Cadillac, Taylor Kia, and Taylor Hyundai.