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NEDERLAND — Nederland High School sophomore Christopher Avalos got a major prize, and surprise, for having perfect attendance — he won a Bronco Sport Big Bend edition.

The new vehicle is courtesy of Philpott Ford, Toyota & Hyundai.

Thursday marked the 20^th year the dealership has awarded a Nederland High School student with a car through its Nederland High School Car Giveaway.

After the cheering from the student body calmed down and Avalos was left on stage with school officials, Bob Thewman and Daren Granger with Philpott Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai and media, the 10^th grader described how he felt.

“This is shocking. I didn’t know it was going to be me,” Avalos said. “This is amazing, super nervous but I’ll get through slowly.”

Thewman had drawn Avalos’ name from a box of eligible students, then asked questions of the crowd, hinting at the name of the winner. He asked for people whose name rhymed with avocado to come to the stage and no one responded. Then asked for people named Christopher.

Avalos was the obvious winner from the small group of Christophers that stood on stage with him.

The sophomore doesn’t have a driver’s license, yet, he said.

Avalos plans to enlist in the U.S. Marines upon graduation. He is taking an auto maintenance class and Granger offered him a scholarship for training to work at Philpott in the future.

In the 20 years of the giveaway at Nederland High School, Philpott has given more than $565,000 worth of vehicles to students there.

In order for a student to be eligible for the drawing, they must have three or fewer excused absences during their high school career, according to information from the high school.