Graduating senior Don Ampofo will be heading into the summer behind the wheel of a brand new car, thanks to Gary Rome Hyundai of Holyoke.
He and 19 other graduating seniors from Holyoke High School’s North, Dean, and Opportunity Academy campuses were finalists in the car dealership’s contest designed to encourage students to maintain their grades and good attendance so they could be in the running to win the new car.
Just a few hours before Dean’s graduation ceremonies were scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 4, the 20 finalists gathered in the showroom lobby hoping for the chance to win. One by one, the finalists tried their keys in the order that they received them, and one by one none of the keys worked. After all 20 participants had a chance to try their keys, event organizers had Don try again. It turns out, he was holding the lucky key—number 18—so he is the proud owner of a new car.
The field of finalists included seven Dean students, 11 students from HHS North, and one student from Opportunity Academy:
Dean finalists:
Don Ampofo
Angelica Andaluz
Zaire Burton-King
Kiorel Cabrera
Valeria De Armas
Jackson Gomes
Patrick Houle
North finalists:
Jadiel Abreu Molina
Christian Alvarado
Gabriella Cayo
Vicsell Colon
Nathaniel Gomes
Kaylie Lopez
Ema Maldonado
Samantha Rodriguez
Noah Rodriguez
Kierstin St. Lawrence
Kaycee Valentin
Opportunity Academy finalist:
Mariely Ramos