Local Voices

The Award for Perfect Attendance at One O.C. School District? A Car

Businesses have an obligation to help keep communities strong and safe, says the owner of the dealership who offered the car.


Most kids, when they have perfect school attendance, can look forward to recognition at some assembly, or maybe a photo with the school board.

For one lucky student at an Orange County school district, that never-been-too-sick-for-school, never-ditched student will win a car.

One of about 800 Santa Ana Unified School District students with perfect attendance this year will win a new car in a drawing today, thanks to a local dealership.

"The main reason we do this is to help the community," said Bruce Hamlin, owner of Guaranty Chevrolet. "The more students that attend classes daily, the more educated the student becomes. Those are the people that become good citizens and therefore help the community."

He said businesses have an obligation to help keep communities strong and safe.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A 2014 Chevrolet Sonic will go to whoever ends up with the key that starts the car.

The eligible students will gather at the dealership at 711 E. 17th St. at 10 a.m. and five names will be drawn. Each will get to pick a key, but only one will start the car.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sonics sell for $14,000 to $21,000.

"The look on the student's face when they win the car is priceless," Hamlin said.

The other four finalists will get $100 each. Guaranty started the annual giveaway in 2007.

The SAUSD has been cited by the state for the past two years for improved attendance and dropout prevention.

--City News Service

Patch Editor Penny Arévalo contributed to this report.


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