Incentive for students: chance to win a car

Candy, toys, cash, books — all great incentives for getting high marks in school. But a car trumps them all. And this year, 50 Utah students will win their own wheels through a new incentive program.

Gov. Olene Walker and Ken Garff Automotive Group have joined forces to launch the new Keys to Success program, aimed at motivating high school students toward academic achievement.

Robert Garff, CEO of the automotive group, said in high school students are often motivated more by pressure and the fear of getting bad grades. "We want to reward the efforts of students with something unique, and there is nothing more exciting to a 16- or 17-year-old than a car — the only thing that would motivate perhaps greater would be a kiss."

A total of 50 cars, donated by Ken Garff dealerships, will be given to 50 high schools along the Wasatch Front.

Students in each participating school, from Payson to Box Elder, will be given the opportunity to earn one of 500 key cards throughout the school year. At the end of the school year, each school will narrow down these key holders to 50 students. Of those 50, one student will be picked at random to win a car.

Each school participating in the Keys to Success program will be granted complete control over the distribution of the 500 key cards.

Students may be awarded for boosting their grade point average, perfect attendance, volunteer work, peer tutoring and program participation.

"Though this is a wide-scale, far-reaching program, the actual rewards will be very personal and individual," said Rick Folkerson, Ken Garff vice president. "Teachers and staff who work with these students every day will be the very people who will reward students for their efforts."

The cars themselves will be worth around $5,000 and come with a three-month, 3,000-mile warranty, and Ken Garff will take care of licensing costs. They will literally be ready to drive away, said Folkerson.

Along with the opportunity to win a car, the 25,000 students who earn key cards can also choose additional treats, including tickets to sporting events such as Utah Blitzz and Utah Warriors games; tickets to college games at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Weber State University, Utah Valley State College and Salt Lake Community College; passes to entertainment parks such as Utah Olympic Sports Park; and tickets to arts events including Utah Symphony and Utah Opera and jazz concerts.