La Cueva High Graduate Wins Car for Attendance

APS student awarded a car by the Albuquerque New Car & Truck Dealers Association.

Jordan McDonald, a 2012 La Cueva High graduate, enjoys her new car.

June 20, 2012

A 2012 graduate of Albuquerque Public Schools La Cueva High School was all smiles and disbelief as she sat in the new Ford Fiesta she won from the Albuquerque New Car & Truck Dealers Association as the prize in the annual recognition of APS or Rio Rancho high school students who have perfect attendance.

“I don’t usually win anything,” said Jordan McDonald, who after having completed three years of high school with perfect attendance, had three chances to win the car.

“These students earned the chance to be a part of this drawing,” said Charles Henson, who coordinated the drawing for the Albuquerque New Car & Truck Dealers Association.

One hundred-thirteen students in grades 10 through 12 from APS and another six from Rio Rancho qualified for the drawing by achieving perfect attendance during the 2011-12 school year. Twelve APS students had achieved perfect attendance in a prior year in addition to this year and so had more than one chance to win a vehicle. Five of those like McDonald had perfect attendance in their sophomore, junior and senior years and so they had three chances to win.

APS Superintendent Winston Brooks praised the students and their families. “I know it’s hard, especially for you seniors, to get up and go to school each and every day,” Brooks said. “Congratulations!”

Thirty-two students showed up for the drawing after having been informed by their school district that they had perfect attendance. Students had to be present for the drawing in order to win a new car, which was donated by the Albuquerque New Car & Truck Dealers Association and purchased from Rich Ford.