HOUSTON – May 21, 2018 – At Honda of Spring on Sunday, dozens of graduating seniors anxiously awaited the drawing that would let them know if they were the new owner of a 2018 Honda HR-V.

“It would really help me out in college,” said Dekaney Valedictorian Royce Hooks, who wrote his name down on a ticket, folded it and put it in the spinner. “This car would help me get where I’m going.”

Hooks was not unlike all the others in the showroom, who turned out with family and friends to celebrate not only the possibility of winning a new car but also the hard work that got them there in the first place.

“I love this partnership we have with Honda of Spring on behalf of our seniors as they embark on their next journey,” said Trustee Justine Durant. “I appreciate Honda of Spring for providing this incentive to help keep our students focused on doing well in school.”

Getting a ticket into Sunday’s event wasn’t easy for the 180 qualifying seniors, who came from all of the district’s high schools.

Created two years ago in conjunction with Honda of Spring to recognize and reward academically motivated students, seniors have to comply with a long list of requirements to earn the chance to win, including maintaining a cumulative 2.5 GPA; passing all state-required End of Course exams; maintaining a 95-percent attendance rate during the year; completing 25 hours of volunteer service in the Spring community; having no out-of-school discipline infractions; and completing the required post-secondary planning assignments.

“We know all the students who participate are winners,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Rodney E. Watson. “We congratulate them all.”

He also thanked Honda of Spring for their ongoing support.

“I have always said that we are only as good as our community and our community is only as good as Spring. And this is just one way that our community has come together to support us in our vision of EVERY CHILD 2020,” he said. “More importantly, Honda of Spring is not just a partner in giving away a car every year. They have sat on our bond committee; they have sat on our boundary committee; anything that we have asked Honda of Spring to do to support our district they have stepped up in the community way and did it.”

As students and their families waited for the drawing to take place, they played games, listened to a live DJ and enjoyed snacks. They also checked out the SUV, wrapped in a special Smart Kid Cool Car design for the occasion.

Parent Aldrin Look Fong accompanied his son Brandon, from Spring Early College High School, for the drawing. He applauded Honda of Spring for partnering with the district on the program.

“It’s an incentive for the students,” he said.

Jason Jackson, general manager of Honda of Spring, said the goal with the program is to reward students for their hard work and determination. “This afternoon is just as exciting for our team as it is for the seniors who are present today,” he said. “We are glad to continue this program in support of the students.”

At the end of the short program, there was only one thing left to do – draw the winner. And no one was more surprised than Dekaney senior Trinity Jagarnauth, who, after hearing his name, headed up to the front of the showroom to stand under the balloon drop, shake hands and take a seat in his new vehicle.

“When I heard my name being called, to be honest I didn’t think I was hearing it right because it’s so mind-blowing. I’ve never won anything,” he said. “I didn’t even know what to do. I’m still trembling right now just even thinking that I’m sitting in this car right now and it’s actually mine now.”

Jagarnauth said he wasn’t sure his family would believe him when he gave them the good news. A new SUV would be like a dream come true.

Jagarnauth is graduating on June 9 and plans to spend two years studying at Lone Star College before transferring to Texas A&M. He said he was considering giving the car to his mom, to help with her job. He also acknowledged his own car is giving him problems.

“My vehicle right now, I can’t drive it for more than 10 or 15 minutes before stopping to put more coolant in it, because it overheats all the time,” he said.  “Now having something reliable that I can drive all the time is so amazing.”

He added: “It’s just amazing to think that (Honda of Spring) got together with Spring ISD and they actually pulled this off, just to help the students.”