Valdosta, GA- Valdosta High School teamed up with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta Toyota/Scion for a second year to offer the Keys to the Future Program. This program has been successful by involving both the students and teachers requiring them to work together to set and achieve specific, individual goals for academics, attendance and extra-curricular activities throughout the school year.

The program culminated today at the class of 2013 graduation practice. Fifteen senior students had been drawn randomly last Friday, May 17 to receive keys for today’s car giveaway. At the event, the students were given the opportunity to choose lanyards numbered 1 through 15; each had a key inside a plastic pocket. Once every student had chosen a lanyard, Ricky Stokes from Valdosta Toyota Scion began pulling numbers from a jar to determine which student would get to try and unlock the car.

Making it all the way through 13 students without a winner, we were down to the final two. Pierce Wallace had originally chosen #2 but asked if he could swap, his lucky number was 11, so he traded. Pierce went first, Mr. Stokes turned the key, the lights and horn began to blare, he was the winner!

Pierce is an 18 year old senior IB student planning to attend the University of Georgia in the fall. His mother, Carol Wallace, is a Special Education teacher at Valdosta High School, was there for graduation practice and was thrilled to see her son win the car. He is also a triplet, his brothers were also there to share in the excitement! The Scion iQ is valued at $16,439.

For each of the students who did not win the car, they were awarded other prizes such as iPod touches, Samsung Galaxy tablets, HD Kindle Fires, or HP laptops. In addition, Wiregrass Technical College awarded a $500 scholarship to Laquan Lawrence.