Rockville High School Grad Takes Ownership of Car in Key Hyundai Giveaway

Sarah Gallo, a 2012 Rockville High School graduate, is the proud owner of her first car, courtesy of Key Hyundai.

Gallo won the car donated by Key Hyundai owner Jill Merriam at the RHS Project Graduation party. Sarah's name was chosen at random to receive the grand prize and she recently took ownership of the vehicle.

Project Graduation is an all-night celebratory event whose mission is to keep graduates safe and happy on graduation night with a substance-free night of fun, raffles and entertainment.

On Wednesday, Gallo visited Key Hyundai with her family to complete the paperwork for the one-owner, 2005 Hyundai Accent that, she said, is "simply awesome."

Gallo brought her mom, step-dad, brother, aunt and cousin to pick up the vehicle, which has 65,000 miles on it.

"I called my family at 4 a.m. and told them I won – I won the car!" Gallo said. Students received a raffle ticket for each $50 they raised for the event.

Gallo is in the process of getting her driver's license and now has the perfect car to get around in.

Project Graduation has been featured at Rockville High School for more than 20 years. It is run by parents and supported by community leaders, businesses and fund-raising events. Rockville High School has an attendance rate of about 90 percent at the event.

This is the second year Key Hyundai has signed on as the automotive sponsor at Rockville High's Project Graduation.

"This event is the perfect collaboration between community, schools and business," Merriam said. "It's been run strictly by volunteers for over 20 years, and I am honored to do my part to make the event a success. Project Graduation helps kids celebrate the milestone of graduation in a safe, fun environment – as a mom, it's where I'd want my kids to be."