Coronado HS grad wins Honda Fit

Ashley Jannatpour graduated from Coronado High School this week capping a memorable part of her life with a fuel-efficient and peppy 2010 Honda Fit from Desert Honda after winning the fourth annual Drive for Excellence program.

The lucky high school senior entered the Drive for Excellence earlier this year and won the vehicle when her number was chosen among 550 finalists during ceremonies at the YMCA near Meadows Lane and Valley View Boulevard.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "We were supposed to sit down if we didn't have the winning number. Thinking that I didn't have the right number, I sat down until it hit me that I was the winner."

The Jannatpour family has been functioning with two cars, one of which is on its last leg, so the Honda Fit could not have come at a better time.

"I have been driving a much bigger car," Ashley said. "By winning the Honda Fit, I not only don't have to buy a car for college but also have one that gets 32 miles to the gallon. It's so much easier to drive because it's smaller. It's a beautiful car and I'm saving money big-time, too."

Jannatpour has been a devoted student and wants to eventually make prosthetics after attending Nevada State College in Henderson.

"There is such a huge need for prosthetics considering how many soldiers are coming home wounded from the war," she said. "I also want to be a doctor."

The Drive for Excellence program is run in conjunction with Beasley Broadcasting. To qualify, students must adhere to strict requirements that include perfect attendance while also maintaining a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher.

This year's event drew a long list of gifts for eligible participants, including four scholarships and laptop computers donated by Silver State Schools Credit Union; various college-themed door prizes; beverages, foods and four $25 gift certificates donated by Walden University,

"We look forward to this promotion every year," said Desert Honda General Manager Nick Delecce. "Seeing the winning students with a new Honda Fit is one of those things that we'll never forget."

Desert Honda sales administrator and assistant to the general manager, Danielle Jenner, said the 2011 Drive for Excellence event is going to be bigger than ever.

"Considering that we will be celebrating our five-year milestone, we will have even more sponsors," said Jenner, who has been with the dealership for nearly five years and oversees the Drive for Excellence. "This is an event that has been mushrooming in popularity every year. The students love it and so do we."

Desert Honda is situated at 1700 E. Sahara Ave. Further information may be obtained at www.deserthonda.com or by calling 369-3099.