One lucky Maury Senior won a new Jeep during recent 'Strive to Drive' car giveaway event
Maury County senior Maggie Barnes will be driving the open road after winning a 2023 Jeep Compass at the Strive to Drive contest held in April.
Maury County Public Schools recently celebrated the Senior Salute Day and Strive to Drive Car Giveaway at the Columbia Central High School Football Stadium at Maury County Park.
In 2015, Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat owner Mr. Eddie Collier came up with the program with then-Superintendent Eddie Hickman, which is still in place today.
Collier wanted to help students succeed, to help them plan for college or enter the workforce out of high school. He knew that getting good grades, attending school every day, and planning for their future were all integral to striving for success. As a result, Strive to Drive was formed between Columbia CDJRF and MCPS.
The program recognizes seniors for receiving the A/B honor roll and perfect attendance in a nine-week marking period. Each marking period, the senior would get an entry for each criterion into a drawing for a brand-new car provided free of charge from Columbia CDJRF.
Later in the program, FAFSA and TN Promise completion were added.
With four nine-week periods of school, a student who received good grades and perfect attendance each quarter could earn up to eight entries for the car, and if they completed FAFSA and TN Promise, this added two more for a total of ten entries. These incentives have helped students strive for better grades, attendance, and future planning with an opportunity to win a new vehicle from CDJRF.
Maury County Public Schools is grateful to Collier and his team, who have continued this great tradition of promoting grades, attendance, and planning for high school seniors since 2015, communications director Jack Cobb said.
The Maury County Sheriff's Department SROs also gave away a laptop computer, and there were other drawings of gift cards and other promotions. Food was provided during the event with fresh-off-the-grill hamburgers and hotdogs with fixings.
Over eight years, including this ninth, approximately $350,000 has been awarded during Strive to Drive to promote education in Maury County.
In addition to the Strive to Drive program, MCPS hosted a Senior Salute Day, recognizing many seniors for their accomplishments at MCPS. At the Senior Salute Day, there were activities throughout the stadium grounds such as opportunities to talk to recruiters from local businesses or military branches, and more.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Lucky Maury Co. senior won a new Jeep at 'Strive to Drive' contest
