ROCKINGHAM — Amia Pemberton is this year’s winner of the Dieffenbach car giveaway at Richmond Senior High School — marking the second year in a row the prize has gone to a student without a driver’s license. That’s not stopping 16-year-old Pemberton though, who said she plans to exchange her permit for the real deal immediately.

Jeff Dieffenbach arrived at the gymnasium and greeted school officials as students began to fill the bleachers. Dieffenbach said he has lost track of how many years the giveaway has gone on.

“It’s funny, every year when we start to get ready for the event, we start trying to remember how many years we’ve been doing it,” he said. “Because it has been quite a few years. But we don’t think a lot about how many times we’ve done it as much as continuing to be able to do this and support our community by giving away a car.”

Each year, every RSHS student who meets the criteria can earn one entry per nine weeks for the drawing. In order to be eligible the student must have perfect attendance, an overall grade point average of 85 or above and no stays in time out or detention.

“We’re always told attendance is up every year,” Dieffenbach said. “It has a positive impact, and we are always looking for things we can do to make a difference. We’re fortunate to have a lot of great employees and a great customer base that allows us to continue to do this, so we just feel very fortunate to be in a position to do it. And they earned it. They and the great staff here.”

Before the big drawing were four drawings for cash and prizes. Those four prizes went to Brooke Johnson, Madison Walker, Jerrica Smith and Chyna Spencer — all of whom met the same high standards.

Pemberton descended the center aisle of bleachers amid loud cheering and clapping.

“I didn’t think I was going to get it,” she said. “I was in shock.”

RCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman said Pemberton’s mother received a personal call as soon as Amia’s name was pulled from the barrel.

“I called her, and I said, ‘This is Dr. Cindy Goodman, Superintendent of Richmond County Schools, and there’s something I need to tell you about Amia,” Goodman said, laughing. “Can you imagine how that would feel, getting a call like that, as a parent? But she was glad to hear the good news.”

In the courtyard a shiny new white 2016 Chevy Cruze adorned with Raider colored balloons sat waiting for Pemberton.

The 10th-grader admitted she did not yet have her license.

“But I guess I’m going to get it today,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

“Every single year the car has gone to a great kid,” Dieffenbach said. “Every single year.”

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673.

Melonie McLaurin | Daily Journal RHSH student Amia Pemberton sits in her brand-new Chevy Cruze, courtesy of Dieffenbach GM Superstore of Rockingham. Pemberton’s name was drawn from a barrel of other entries earned by students with perfect attendance, a grade point average of 85 or above and no time-outs or detention. Jeff Dieffenbach pulled Pemberton’s entry.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Amia1.jpgMelonie McLaurin | Daily Journal RHSH student Amia Pemberton sits in her brand-new Chevy Cruze, courtesy of Dieffenbach GM Superstore of Rockingham. Pemberton’s name was drawn from a barrel of other entries earned by students with perfect attendance, a grade point average of 85 or above and no time-outs or detention. Jeff Dieffenbach pulled Pemberton’s entry.

By Melonie McLaurin

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