The Associated Press

OXFORD — A high school junior’s perfect attendance record paid off in a big way when she started up her 2000 Chevrolet Malibu.

Courtney Lavelle beat out 26 other Benton Central High School perfect attendees who lined up Monday to try their keys in the black car, offered as an incentive to get kids to come to school.

“I didn’t think I had it,” she said. “I had to do it again when I heard the guy say, ’She’s got it.”’

Lavelle, who had been sharing a ride with her older sister, said the free car was not the only motivation for her perfect attendance.

“I don’t like missing school because then you have to make up work,” she said.

Brad Harper, the district’s attendance officer, organized the car giveaway for the first time last year. He persuaded Kentland dealer Emerson-Sondgerath to donate a car for the cause.

“You’ve got to really work hard for perfect attendance,” Harper said. “Like a job, if you go above and beyond, you should be rewarded.”

Students were required to attend every class — and show up on time — to vie for the free car. Students who missed school because of illness, appointments or funerals were not eligible.

Harper said attendance rates jumped to 97 percent from 94 percent the year before the giveaway at the school about 20 miles northwest of Lafayette.

Emerson-Sondgerath has pledged another car for next year.

“Our main goal in doing all this is to support the local schools and show that attending school is an important part of life,” said Tom Sondgerath, who co-owns the dealership.

The school district has also organized a cash dive for middle schoolers with perfect attendance and elementary school children who attend all their classes were entered in a drawing for a bicycle.