BRENHAM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GETS NEW RIDE AFTER WINNING PERFECT ATTENDANCE GIVEAWAY
A Brenham High School student’s perfect attendance this school year has paid off in a big way.

winner of Brenham ISD and Appel Ford's perfect
attendance giveaway, earning a 2021 Ford Escape S.
Rodriguez Rivera is pictured with Brenham ISD
Superintendent Clay Gillentine (left), Brenham High
School Principal Michael Watts (second from right)
and family members.
Brenham ISD and Appel Ford teamed up at the beginning of the year to put students with perfect attendance during any of the six-week grading periods into a drawing for a vehicle donated by the dealership.
This (Wednesday) morning, Brenham ISD and Appel Ford drew the winning name: Javier Rodriguez Rivera, Class of 2028. He won a 2021 Ford Escape S model with 30,000 miles. The vehicle comes fully covered with tax, title and license included.
Javier was asleep when Brenham High School Principal Michael Watts and Appel Ford Owner Jon Hill called to give him and his father, Felix, the good news.
Javier said he was shocked and in disbelief, but that this was “a good way to wake up.”
Watts said he reached out to Appel Ford in August as the district looked for ways to incentivize school attendance. He said Hill and General Sales Manager Mike Leonard were quick to make this happen, and that their contribution had a huge impact.

Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine (left),
Brenham High School Principal Michael Watts
(second from left), Appel Ford Owner Jon Hill (third
from right), Appel Ford General Sales Manager Mike
Leonard (second from right) and Appel Ford Sales
Consultant Jony Benitez.
According to Watts, the high school had over 900 students with perfect attendance during the first six weeks and between 600-800 perfect attendees during each of the next six-week periods. He said, to put it simply, “the car worked.”
Hill said Appel Ford was thrilled to be a part of this program and support the district in getting more students wanting to come to class.
Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine said this partnership has gone a long way toward boosting school attendance, which is directly tied to funding from the state, and making sure children are in an environment where they can learn and grow.
Appel Ford and Brenham ISD have already partnered to make another giveaway possible next year.
Click here to view the full list of perfect attendees for the 2024-25 school year.

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