Go to class, and maybe win a car

RENO — A car dealership is trying to motivate students to go to class, and students with perfect attendance records can enter a drawing for a new car .

The promotion at Bill Pearce Courtesy Honda in Reno started last year with 88 high school seniors who had perfect attendance. This year, the pool of candidates was up to 129 Washoe County School District students .

“You can’t learn if you’re not there,” said Sandy Raffealli, who owns the business with husband John, a former teacher.

Americom Broadcasting and KTVN-TV, Channel 2 in the Reno-Tahoe area are sponsors, too.

This year’s winner was Jack Denzler, a recent graduate of Damonte Ranch High School who now has a 2010 Honda Fit.

“I’m stoked,” said Denzler, who plans to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. “I knew I was going to win.”

Other candidates said their perfect attendance wasn’t based on incentives.

“It’s just a pain to have to redo work,” said Molly Barrow, a McQueen High School graduate.

“People who are absent all the time, it’s not a good idea. I don’t know how they get by.”