Dean Technical High School graduate wins a brand new car
Since 2010, Gary Rome has awarded a Holyoke high schooler an Academic Achievement Award for their good grades, attendance, and behavior.
'I'm literally shaking, I'm so excited,' said Chelsea Salas, a senior at Dean Technical High School.
Out of 150 finalists, 20 were chosen for the Gary Rome Academic Achievement Award. It's the only program in the region to offer a brand-new car to a deserving Holyoke high schooler.
Each of the finalists was a good student with a 3.0 or higher GPA and fewer than 6 absences throughout the school year.
In front of family, friends, school faculty, and staff, each student got in a line for a chance to pick a key that would start this red Hyundai Venue. A senior at Dean Technical became the lucky winner.
'We had to send an essay and write about what we felt like we deserved it and I wrote about being the youngest of four and growing up in a low-income household and didn't have anything. My parents work so hard, and I wanted to make them proud,' said Salas.
Salas didn't know she won until she opened her eyes. 'I was the first one to pick out of the bowl, and I picked lucky number 3,' said Salas.
4 years of good grades, consistent attendance, and strong characteristics paid off. The school's guidance counselor is happy to see that Salas won her very first car.
'This is probably one of the most exciting days of our entire year. Seeing all their hard work kind of come to this has just been beyond exciting,' said Teresa Beaulieu, Guidance Counselor at Dean Technical High School.
Right after she won the car, she graduated. This was an early present from Gary Rome Hyundai. Gary Rome said it's an award that is always remembered.
'This has made a difference in their lives, you know it's allowed them to get back and forth to college, allow them to take their parents to doctors' appointments, it's allowed them to make a difference,' said Gary Rome, President and CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai.
Rome is thinking of bringing alumni back to future events.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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