Dealership offers free car to ‘Be Cool, Stay in School’

While college professors struggle to keep daily attendance high throughout the semester, Monroe County high schools have a new incentive to encourage students to stay in the classroom. \nStudents from the Monroe County Community School Corporation who have perfect attendance records will be entered to win a 2007 Pontiac G5, with a price tag of around $16,000, from Curry Buick Cadillac Pontiac GMC Inc. in Bloomington. \n“It’s really cool for whoever wins,” said Mari Welton, a junior from Bloomington High School South. \nStudents in 9th through 12th grades from Aurora High School, Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High School South are encouraged to maintain perfect attendance. Those students who do not miss a day of school will be entered in the final drawing in the spring.\n“We just wanted to give back to the community,” said Paul Hobbs, Curry dealership manager.\nHowever, not everyone thinks the competition is completely fair. \nAccording to the official rules on the dealer’s Web site, “perfect attendance is considered zero absences for the entire school year,” and “each student must be in school the entire day.”\n“I think it’s unfair if you have an appointment during school,” Bloomington South junior Jessica Arthur said.. \nFor instance, Welton said her orthodontist closes at 3 p.m. \nSeveral students said that other than creating scheduling conflicts and possibly encouraging sick students to come to class, the contest will have little effect on attendance. \n “I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t think anyone will really change their habits because class is so long and boring,” said Bloomington South senior Adam Steigerwald. \nSteigerwald’s classmate Monica Hammons, a senior, agreed. Hammons, who is already out of the running for the car because she is graduating early, said that more emphasis should be placed on grades than attendance. Hammons thinks that her grades were actually better when she skipped more. \nHammons said she thinks it will be “impossible” to get kids to change. The small, black, sporty, two-door sedan is not enough of an incentive, she said.\nHobbs said the dealership chose the Pontiac G5 because high school students are in the car’s “market demographic.” \nTo keep kids motivated, the car, which is decorated with “Be Cool, Stay in School” decals, will rotate between the three schools throughout the year. Hobbs said the dealership is considering repeating the contest next year.