TEMPLE (September 18, 2009)-A local high school rolls out a new incentive to help students “Focus on Attendance” during the 2009-10 year and its one that no teen can afford to ignore.

The school announced to its students Friday its “Focus on Attendance” program in which, at the end of the school year, one lucky student will be awarded the keys to a shiny, Wildcat Blue, 2010 Ford Focus.

High School students enrolled at Temple I.S.D. on or before Friday will receive ten opportunities to enter their name in the drawing, while those that enroll later in the school year will receive prorated opportunities.

Each absence counts against the students’ opportunity however those students with a perfect attendance record during the 2009-10 school year will receive an additional opportunity to win.

The car will be given away to a student with good attendance at an awards assembly on June 3, 2010, but with some conditions.

First, the student must be present at the end-of-year assembly to win.

If a student is not a licensed driver, a legal guardian or parent will take possession of the car, Temple I.S.D. administrators say.

Also, the winner must pay all tax, title and licensing fees before they take possession of the vehicle.

The school says if the student can not afford the tax, title and licensing fees, Texell Credit Union will guarantee a loan for the amount to the winner

"Not being able to afford it is not going to keep that student from taking possession," Temple I.S.D. spokesperson Regina Corley said in a statement Friday.

The school says the attendance incentive is not, by any means, an attempt to encourage students who are legitimately ill to attend school.

The program is co-sponsored by Temple I.S.D., Johnson Brothers Ford and Texell Credit Union.