Friday night was already a special one for graduating senior Ericka Rodgers of Pike County High School.

The night was made even more special when officials from Premier Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram showed up to surprise her with the announcement that she was the new owner of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited worth more than $30,000.

Rodgers earned straight A’s in 2018-2019 and she brought those grades to Premier each quarter, earning her a total of 23 entries into the dealership’s “Driving for A’s” program.

The program was open to all seniors in Pike County Schools including PCHS, Goshen High School, Charles Henderson High School and Pike Liberal Arts School. The dealership awarded one entry for each A presented by participating students.

Spencer Thomas, Premier spokesperson, said the first annual giveaway is another way that the dealership wanted to give back to the community.

“We’re trying to invest in our community,” Thomas said. “We know the kids are the future. We just want to pour as much as we can into our community.”

The dealership also donated $200 to local elementary schools for every vehicle sold during the first quarter of 2019, totaling more than $70,000 shared between the five schools.