Vernon Middle School

For Harlingen High School South senior Josh Ruiz, attending school every day wasn’t just about keeping up with his studies—it also earned him a new car.

Through a partnership between Harlingen CISD and Gillman Chevrolet of Harlingen, students with perfect attendance are entered into a drawing for major prizes, including a vehicle.

Two years ago, Josh was a sophomore. He was at a baseball game when his name was called out as the winner of a brand-new car the Gillman Drive for Perfect Attendance.

“I actually found out on the baseball field,” he recalled. “We had just lost a playoff game, but then they called me to the mound and announced that I won the car. It definitely turned my day around.”

The next day, in his Hawk baseball uniform and ready for another game, Josh and his family went to the car dealership to claim his prize.

“At the time, I was driving my dad’s old truck to school,” he explained. “We live on a farm, and my dad needs my help sometimes to pull trailers or water tanks, so he thought a truck would be best for me.”

Josh decided to trade it in the vehicle he won to help purchase his dream vehicle—a Chevy truck.

The HCISD attendance incentive program offers more than just cars. This year, the grand prize is a 2025 Chevy Trax LX. However, students also have the opportunity to win $250 gift cards, a 13” MacBook Pro, a Microsoft Surface Pro, and an iPad mini.

“I was just in shock that coming to school every day got me a chance to win,” he said. “I think we’re really lucky that our school district does this. I haven’t heard of any other school in the Valley doing something like this. And Gillman, they’re great to us for making it possible. All you have to do is show up to school. It’s not very hard.”