Attending classes everyday paid off for Martin High School student Gabriel Ramos who was declared the winner of a brand new 2024 Ford Maverick donated by the Sames Auto Group. The car was the grand prize in the 11th annual Drive Sames 4 Education Perfect Attendance Incentive program which encourages students to be in school on a daily basis.
The giveaway was conducted at the Sames Auto Arena just prior to the J.W. Nixon High School graduation ceremony Tuesday morning.
“At Sames Auto Group, our commitment to supporting local education runs deep,” Sames Chief Executive Officer Evelyn Sames said in her congratulatory greetings. “For 114 years, we have invested in future generations, believing education is the cornerstone of a thriving community. Education is a powerful tool that opens doors to opportunities and transcends all boundaries.”
Ramos persevered and achieved perfect attendance for 175 days during the 2023-2024 school year. Inclement weather, mechanical and transportation issues, and feeling sick a few mornings did not deter him from having a perfect attendance record.
Ramos expressed his glee and thanked the Sames Auto Group for the handsome vehicle. He also thanked his mother, Maria Guadalupe Garcia for her support and driving him to school every day. The Martin High sophomore and band percussionist will be enrolling in free Drivers Education classes provided by Laredo Independent School District this upcoming fall semester. When he graduates with the MHS Class of 2027, Ramos would like to attend Texas A&M University in College Station and study to become a physician.
Ramos was also provided with the vehicle’s tax, title and license donated by the Laredo Federal Credit Union. Rafael Martinez, president of the LFCU, applauded Ramos for his discipline throughout the school year by being in class on a daily basis.
Also attending the car giveaway presentation were Sames representative Thomas Pina, Chief Operating Officer; Patricia Muyshondt, Chief Marketing Officer; Jerry Resendez, General Manager; Karla Gonzalez, Marketing Director; Ana Ortiz, Marketing Assistant; and Alejandro Almazan, Graphics Designer. Representing the Laredo Federal Credit Union location on McPherson Road was Javier Gomez, Branch Manager.
Four finalists were randomly selected from LISD’s four high schools. Each of the finalists were awarded with a set of Apple Airpods.
Finalists from the Hector J. Garcia Early College High School were Fatima Gonzalez, Melina Hernandez, Miguel Aparicio, and Alessandra Barbarena.
Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School finalists included Darian Cerda, Jared Velazquez, Juan Escobar and Alexis Balderas.
The finalists from Raymond and Tirza Martin High School were Rey D. Vallejo, Valeria Cantu, Gabriel A. Ramos and Aldo Alarcon.
Jose Sanchez, Luis Morin, Maximiliano Torres, and Kelly Y. Morales were the finalists from J.W. Nixon High School.
For more information on the Drive Sames 4 Education Perfect Attendance Incentive Program, please contact the LISD Office of Communications at 956-273-1730.