Published: Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 1:48 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 1:48 a.m.
Sierra Coffman's life changed after not one, but two turns of a car key.
Coffman, 17, of Bartow was the winner of Bartow Ford's 20th annual Drive for Excellence event Saturday.
A junior at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland, she won a 2014 Ford Mustang V6 convertible as part of the car dealer's yearly event to honor local students who excel in the classroom.
"I still can't believe it because I'm 17 and I have a $35,000 car. It's ridiculous," Coffman said.
"I think it's really cool that they give this opportunity to people.
"They pay people for working hard during their high school career."
The Drive for Excellence contest is held for high school juniors and seniors who have averages of A or B with perfect attendance. Students enter by showing their report cards at the Bartow Ford dealership, competing to be a top qualifier. The better their grades, the more forms they get to be entered into a drawing to become a top qualifier.
At Saturday's event, featuring live music, games, raffles and refreshment, the top qualifiers were invited to grab a car key and try to open the Mustang's front door, with the understanding that the student whose key unlocks the door wins the car.
Coffman was the second of 19 students to try their luck.
"When I went up there and it turned I stared shaking, thinking, 'Oh my gosh, am I going to win?' Coffman said. "When it didn't open, my heart just dropped."
After it didn't open, Coffman stayed to watch who the winner would be.
Coffman said after about six more students attempted to unlock the car, she realized she may have turned the key the wrong direction and wanted another shot. This time, the driver's side door unlocked.
"The second time she definitely broke down and started to cry, then her dad came up and hugged her," said Kimberly Vigil, marketing assistant for Bartow Ford.
"It was a great moment."
Coffman, who plans to study to become an orthopedic surgeon, said her friends were mostly jealous but still wanted to see her new car when she pulled into the school parking lot Monday.
During the 20 years of this contest, Bartow Ford has given away vehicles totaling more than $500,000 in value.
[ Matt Reinstetle can be reached at 802-7533. ]
Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20130523/news/305235023
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