ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County students with perfect attendance for the 2008-09 academic year will be eligible to win a 2009 Honda Civic or a 2009 Dodge Caliber SXT, courtesy of Piedmont Honda and Piedmont Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge of Anderson.

The contest, which includes all Anderson County high schools and the Hanna-Westside Extension Campus, was the brainchild of Apex Automotive Group President and Owner Greg Smith, and Vice President and General Manager Jeff Searcy.

“We take our role in the community very seriously, and we are excited to partner with Anderson area high schools to promote perfect attendance,” Searcy said.

“If we can help motivate a few more kids to stay in school and stay engaged, we feel we will have succeeded.”

Area high school principals and faculty are also enthusiastic.

Sheila Hilton, principal of T.L. Hanna High School, said that it is a good way to recognize top attending students.

“Each year we graduate several students who have had 12 years of perfect attendance, so we saw this as a terrific way of encouraging even more students to strive for that goal,” she said.

She said higher class attendance goes hand in hand with higher academic achievement.

“While winning a car is something any high school student would want, seeing each and every student fulfill their potential is what every educator wants, and is the reason we are so excited to present them with this opportunity," Hilton said.

To register for the drawing, eligible students must complete entry forms and provide certified attendance records to their respective high school officials at the conclusion of the 2008-09 school year.

Searcy said a date for the drawing hasn’t been finalized, but expects it to occur no later than mid-June of 2009.

The drawing will be held at Piedmont Honda and Piedmont Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge of Anderson. Students who need entry forms and contest rules can pick them up at their respective guidance offices.