A first accomplished for Grayslake High car giveaway

Grayslake Central High School senior Adrianna Werneke accomplished a first Friday when she was named the winner of a car that goes to students who excel in a variety of ways.

Daniel Landry, associate principal for support services, called out the names of 85 students eligible for the drawing while they were gathered at graduation practice. The teenagers were asked to stand as part of a thrilling buildup to the announcement of the winner.

In the previous 13 years of the event, the winner has excitedly stepped forward to claim the car keys. However, Werneke was serving as manager for the Grayslake Central boys tennis team in a Fox Valley Conference tournament and was not present when Landry called her name for the used Pontiac Grand Prix.

Werneke's pals in the crowd didn't waste any time getting word to her.

"A bunch of my friends were texting me and I didn't believe them at first," Werneke said a few hours after her name was selected.

Landry also reached Werneke to give her the good news. Werneke, a National Honor Society member who'll attend Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, said she's been sharing a car with her mother, Sharon.

Grayslake North High School has a similar car giveaway for pupils. A 1999 Pontiac Grand Am was presented Friday to Lizet Gonzalez.

Rockenbach Chevrolet in Grayslake has provided the vehicles for the Grayslake District 127 incentive program since it started.

Landry said the criteria met by the 86 of 300 Grayslake Central seniors who were eligible for the car included attendance of 92 percent or better, only excused absences, no discipline consequences, a minimum B average and involvement in co- or extracurricular activities.

He said the car serves as a good incentive for students.

"It kind of keeps that good angel on their shoulders," said Landry, who noted Friday's event was the first time a student was not present to get the car keys.