As the school year wraps up for most seniors today in Washtenaw County, one student at Ypsilanti Community High School is going home with more than just a diploma!
Lisbette Zavala won a brand-new car today during a special assembly in collaboration with the Ypsilanti-Willow Run chapter of the NAACP. There were 12 finalists, including Spencer Robinson, who got a $100 gift certificate as a runner-up and said he was proud to make it to the final twelve.
“I remember last year I was at my brother’s graduation, and seeing it. I always thought it was so cool. Now that I was just sitting in the seat, it was just a great experience for me,” says Robinson.
Ypsilanti School superintendent Benjamin Edmondson came up with the idea to reward a hard-working senior who met certain criteria with a new car. He said having reliable transportation can be life-changing for a student.
“When you set the criteria and students see that you can really win a car, it changes the culture and the climate in your school,” says Edmonds.
The winner of the 2018 Ford Focus, which is black and gold to match school colors, also receives money for insurance, gas, and, in this case, driving lessons as the winner does not yet have her license.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
