Emporia High School sophomore Alex Stark watched keys being turned eight times before it was his turn to try to start the engine on a 2001 Saturn SC2 Renaissance car Friday morning at the high school.
This is the 15th year Emporia High School’s Renaissance program has given away a car. The program also fosters scholarships. There were four scholarship winners this year: Rachel Clopton and Lindsey Estes, $500 each from The University of Kansas; Audrie Stegmaier, $1,000 from the Emporia State University endowment; and Taylor Mason, $500 from Kansas State University.
The Renaissance program was created to encourage students to excel academically and personally, said Nancy Gilpin of Emporia High School. Throughout the school year, students are recognized for going above and beyond at school.
To qualify for the car, students in the program must have a 94 percent attendance rate, pass all classes the first semester and second semester and exhibit acceptable behavior. The car was donated by local car dealers Emporia Motors, John North Ford and Longbine Auto Plaza.
Fifteen students were eligible to draw a key that could win them the candy-apple red three-door Saturn. At the students’ names were called, they stood up and drew keys. They lined up beside the car. One by one, the students turned the key as a drum roll was played by a member of the Emporia High School band. Eight students turned their keys with no luck — until Stark. Stark got into the car, turned the key and the car hummed to life.
After shutting the car back off and getting out of the car, Stark talked about his experience.
“I’m pretty nervous right now,” he said, adding that he wasn’t sure what his first trip in his new car would be.
Before winning the car, Stark did a lot of waiting and his nerves began to fray.
“I was just like ‘Oh my God, it’s getting close to me,’” he said.
Stark said he plans to go to college after high school graduation and then get a job. He isn’t sure what he will be majoring in yet.
JohnDoe (anonymous) says...
What a great program! Thank you local car dealers!
May 16, 2010 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )