Two LAUSD High School Graduates Awarded Brand-New Cars For Perfect Attendance

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LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recognized the grand prize winners for the 2012-13 LAUSD "I'M IN" School Attendance Challenge. 

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Earning a high school diploma and winning new a car in one week is a great way to begin summer vacation.  Two recent high school graduates, Vanessa Umana from Polytechnic Senior High and Euri Tanaka from San Pedro Senior High, did just that. Now, each is the owner of a new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic® car.  A total of 357 LAUSD high school seniors who maintained perfect attendance from October through April of the 2012-13 school year were entered into a random drawing. Umana and Tanaka won cars as grand prizes.

"Winning the car is an amazing way to finish the year.  I was focused on being in school and learning every day,'' Umana said.  She will be attending UC San Diego. The second car winner, Euri Tanaka was not able to attend the event but representing him at the press conference was San Pedro Senior High Principal, Jeanette Stevens.

In addition to the cars, five LAUSD students with perfect attendance during the challenge period won new iPads®.  As a Challenge incentive for all schools, cash prizes of $3,000 were also awarded to six winning schools which met the criteria of the most improved and excellent attendance in the District. 

"We are so proud of our students and schools who have collectively said 'I'm In' by striving to achieve perfect attendance and getting us closer to 100% graduation," said Mónica García, LAUSD Board President. "Their work has again increased academic achievement and graduation rates for LAUSD.  Thank you to all of the adults for your work and a job well done."

This announcement is the culmination of a partnership with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles and other businesses to encourage and reward students with perfect attendance. 

"Clear Channel Los Angeles is committed to using our airwaves to address critical issues like U.S. education," said Greg Ashlock, Market President for Clear Channel Los Angeles.   "The 'I'm In' Challenge was a fun and unique way to remind students and parents that the first step to a good education is simply showing up.  The added rewards were also a great way to recognize local students and schools for their dedication and hard work during the academic school year."

During the school year, the LAUSD "I'm In" School Attendance Challenge has provided more than 3,000 monthly prizes to students across this District, including amusement park multi-packs, gift cards, movie tickets, bicycles, and more.

"I am grateful to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles and our corporate partners for their commitment to ensure that students from kindergarten through high school are in class and learning," said LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy.  "With commitment, partnership and a community-wide approach, we can succeed in getting more students in the classroom and achieving."

For more information about the 2012-13 LAUSD "I'M IN" School Attendance Challenge, visit http://pupilservices.lausd.net and www.facebook.com/ImInLAUSD.

SOURCE Los Angeles Unified School District