Strive to Drive: Culleoka Unit School senior wins free 2022 Jeep Compass

Mallori McKinney, senior of Culleoka Unit School, won a 2022 Jeep Compass on Saturday at Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat during the Strive to Drive giveaway.

Strive to Drive is an annual giveaway and academic initiative, supporting students in Maury County Public Schools.

If an MCPS high school senior obtains an A/B honor roll, has perfect attendance, or fills out a FAFSA or Tennessee Promise form, they are automatically entered into the drawing.

This year, over 800 students entered to win one of the 27 prizes offered, ranging from $20 to a 2022 Jeep Compass. Students must be present at the event to win.

The 8th annual Strive to Drive event was held in-person for the first time since COVID-19 began two years ago.

Eddie Collier, the dealership owner, created Strive to Drive as a way to give back to his community and promote education within the school district.

"We just feel like giving to the kids ... and making the area brighter," he said.

Around 5 p.m., the prizes began to be announced. First to win were faculty members, as one employee from each of the schools in MCPS had the chance to win $400.

Afterward, the winner of the car's name was drawn and placed aside until the end of the event and kept a secret from all.

Next was a laptop that Maury County Sheriffs Department School Resource Officers donated for the event. After several names were called of absent students, Erik Nieto-Vasquez of Culleoka Unit School in attendance won the laptop.

There were several other prize winners announced, and eventually, the previously drawn winner of the car was revealed.

However, that person was not present.

Then, the next name was drawn and called.

That person was not there either.

Finally, McKinley's name was called, who had won two separate gift cards earlier, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

"I don't even know what to say," McKinney stated with a beaming smile on her face.

McKinney was let into her new car to check it out after being presented with a year of free car insurance by Tim Rowe of Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee.

After winning two gift cards and a 2022 Jeep Compass, McKinney laughed and said, "All I know is I'm going to get a lottery ticket after this.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Culleoka Unit School senior Mallori McKinney wins 2022 Jeep Compass