Glenwood Springs High School senior Elana Neiley could hardly believe it when her name was drawn as the winner of 2007 Ford 500 in an all school assembly on Friday morning.

“This never happens,” she said. “I asked my friend to pinch me. I was sure I was dreaming.”

Neily, who plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado in the fall, just got her license this month and currently shares a car with her brother.

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“I didn’t really know how I was going to get back and forth to Greeley, and now I have a way,” she said with a smile.

It’s the first time Glenwood Springs Ford has arranged such a giveaway, which is intended to encourage academic performance and attendance. Out of 600 odd sophomores, juniors and seniors, 127 students met the 95 percent attendance and 3.5 GPA required to enter the drawing. Next year, the school plans to include students who show significant improvement, as well.

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“You’re all in the game for the car, but you’re mostly in it for self improvement,” Dean of Students Pat Engle told the crowd. “Attendance to me is like bacon and eggs. Eggs are just a day’s work for the chicken, but bacon is a lifetime’s commitment from the pig.”