Chillicothe students celebrate prizes, scholarships, new car at 2023 Keys to Success event

Megan Becker, Chillicothe Gazette
·3 min read

CHILLICOTHE― Chillicothe High School junior Kendra Allen couldn't contain her excitement at the Keys to Success event when she won a brand new Kia from the Herrnsterin Auto Group on Monday.

She was texting her mom about dinner plans when her name was unexpectantly called at the drawing. Her group of gal pals on the bleachers joined her to jump and scream in disbelief. She ran down the bleachers, thanked Abby Vaughan and Aubrey Herrnstein from Herrnstein Auto for the car, grabbed the keys and ran back up to her friends to continue the celebration.

Student Kendra Allen and her classmates celebrate in the auditorium of Chillicothe High School after she won a new car from Herrnstein Auto as part of the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023. Allen called her mom to tell her the news.
Student Kendra Allen and her classmates celebrate in the auditorium of Chillicothe High School after she won a new car from Herrnstein Auto as part of the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023. Allen called her mom to tell her the news.

The gymnasium roared with applause and cheers of excitement from the audience. Allen headed outside to see her new car, calling her shocked mom on the phone. More classmates flooded into the parking lot to congratulate Allen.

"For me to be involved with that many people that are super happy to be around me and happy for me and not like jealous or anything," Allen said. "It just makes me really happy because they've made my high school experience so much better."

Student Kendra Allen and her classmates celebrate in the auditorium of Chillicothe High School after she won a new car from Herrnstein Auto as part of the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023. Allen called her mom to tell her the news.
Student Kendra Allen and her classmates celebrate in the auditorium of Chillicothe High School after she won a new car from Herrnstein Auto as part of the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023. Allen called her mom to tell her the news.

Chillicothe High School held its 8th annual Keys to Success event on May 8. The yearly end-of-year giveaway sends students home with prizes and scholarships to reward students for staying drug-free.

This year, the program gave away $12,000 in prizes and $11,600 in scholarships, in addition to the new car. Local business owners and community members came together to donate time, money and products to giveaway at the event. Prizes included AirPods, iPads, a mini fridge, bicycles, gift cards to local businesses and more.

Students celebrated with non-stop clapping and cheering, including a flash mob in the middle of the giveaway. CHS student Jackson Oyer won a bike and made a victory lap around the gymnasium.

Chillicothe High School student Jackson Oyer showed off his new bicycle that he won at the Keys to Success event at CHS on May 8, 2023.
Chillicothe High School student Jackson Oyer showed off his new bicycle that he won at the Keys to Success event at CHS on May 8, 2023.

The Chillicothe Education Foundation, Emily Gerber and Josh Strange from Gerber Insurance & Financial Services, and State Farm Insurance Agent Dave Strickland gave away several scholarships.

Deidre Rowland, owner of Kindly Boutique, said her son won a scholarship through the program in 2021 and wanted to return the favor. She awarded CHS student Kristen Lewis with a $1,000 scholarship.

"She is a true testament to the power of perseverance, resilience and belief in oneself. She has put herself in a great position educationally and she is incredibly independent and not easily influenced by others," Rowland said. "She's met many challenges in her daily life and has conquered them all. Her future is very bright because of her willpower to succeed. And last but not least, she is incredibly kind."

Deidre Rowland, owner of the Kindly Boutique, presented Chillicothe High School student Kristen Lewis with a $1,000 scholarship for participating in the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023.
Deidre Rowland, owner of the Kindly Boutique, presented Chillicothe High School student Kristen Lewis with a $1,000 scholarship for participating in the Keys to Success program on May 8, 2023.

Officer Tim Boltenhouse and School Resource Officer Julie Preston also presented several scholarships to the Keys to Success student ambassadors.

Pastor Troy Gray gave an inspiring speech to the students about his turbulent childhood in Chillicothe, preaching about overcoming obstacles.

"Many of you in this room are choosing to bow down to people who really don't care about you," Gray said. "There are people who want to see you fail. You have gifts, you have talent, you have abilities, but you've got to get connected to people around you that believe in you, that push you forward and let you know that you can do anything."

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Keys to Success Chillicothe students awarded with new car, scholarships