When Emmalee Fuentes heard her ticket number called as the winner of a 2024 Chevy Trax LX at last year’s Gillman Drive for Perfect Attendance event, she was in disbelief. Through a partnership between HCISD and Gillman, students who maintain perfect attendance throughout the school year are entered into a drawing for a chance to win a car. Fuentes, now a senior at Harlingen Collegiate High, remembers the moment vividly. “I didn’t think they called the right number,” she recalled. “When I saw that my number matched, I said, ‘Oh wow, that is my number. That’s me.’ It was so surreal.” Although she had put off learning how to drive due to fear, winning the car changed everything. “I was dreading learning how to drive,” she admitted. “So, it was kind of funny that I won. But it was such a big motivation to actually want to learn.” At first, Fuentes wasn’t planning to attend the event where the winner was announced. But her decision to attend the 2024 Gillman Drive for Perfect Attendance turned into an unforgettable moment. “My parents were super happy. My mom cried,” she said. “I also had a lot of people congratulating me and saying how cool it was that I won, especially because I was one of the first people from my school to win.” Beyond the excitement, Fuentes believes perfect attendance is about more than just showing up. “Perfect attendance shows responsibility and maturity,” she said. “It also leads to lifelong good habits. For me, I just didn’t want to miss out on anything like important announcements or assignments. That’s what kept me coming to school every day.” As another school year nears its end, students once again have the opportunity to secure their spot in the drawing by keeping up with their attendance. “If someone told me, ‘You’re going to win a car if you come to school every day,’ I would 100% come every single day,” she said.

For Harlingen High School South senior Josh Ruiz, attending school every day wasn’t just about keeping up with his studies—it also earned him a new car. Through a partnership between Harlingen CISD and Gillman Chevrolet of Harlingen, students with perfect attendance are entered into a drawing for major prizes, including a vehicle. Two years ago, Josh was a sophomore. He was at a baseball game when his name was called out as the winner of a brand-new car the Gillman Drive For Perfect Attendance. “I actually found out on the baseball field,” he recalled. “We had just lost a playoff game, but then they called me to the mound and announced that I won the car. It definitely turned my day around.” The next day, in his Hawk baseball uniform and ready for another game, Josh and his family went to the car dealership to claim his prize. “At the time, I was driving my dad’s old truck to school,” he explained. “We live on a farm, and my dad needs my help sometimes to pull trailers or water tanks, so he thought a truck would be best for me.” Josh decided to trade it in the vehicle he won to help purchase his dream vehicle—a Chevy truck. The HCISD attendance incentive program offers more than just cars. This year, the grand prize is a 2025 Chevy Trax LX. However, students also have the opportunity to win $250 gift cards, a 13” MacBook Pro, a Microsoft Surface Pro, and an iPad mini. “I was just in shock that coming to school every day got me a chance to win,” he said. “I think we’re really lucky that our school district does this. I haven’t heard of any other school in the Valley doing something like this. And Gillman, they’re great to us for making it possible. All you have to do is show up to school. It’s not very hard.”

What if attending school every day could lead to winning a brand-new car? For sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Harlingen CISD, this is possible through the Gillman Chevrolet Drive for Perfect Attendance event where students with perfect attendance have the chance to win incredible prizes, including a car. For the past twelve years, Harlingen CISD has partnered with Gillman Chevrolet Harlingen to host this exciting end-of-year celebration. What began as a unique way to encourage students to attend school evolved into a fun tradition filled with anticipation, joy, and community spirit. The Drive for Perfect Attendance event takes place at the Gillman Chevrolet Harlingen dealership, where students, staff, and families gather to celebrate with music, snacks, and great anticipation for the raffle drawing. This year, the grand prize is a 2025 Chevy Trax LX. However, students also have the opportunity to win $250 gift cards, a 13” MacBook pro, a Microsoft surface pro, and an iPad mini. The initiative has become a powerful motivator for students to stay consistent in their attendance, fostering a culture of commitment and perseverance throughout the district. "Our partnership with Gillman Chevrolet over the past twelve years has been truly remarkable,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Veronica Kortan said. “Together, we’ve inspired our students to dream big, stay determined, and celebrate their successes. The Drive for Perfect Attendance event showcases how community partnerships can positively shape the lives of our youth, and we are so grateful for the support of Gillman Chevrolet in providing this opportunity for our students.” As the countdown to this year’s celebration begins, HCISD students are more motivated than ever to make every day count. After all, the keys to a brand-new car could soon be in their hands.