"I just won a whole car," High School student in disbelief thanks to Keys to Success

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·2 min read

CHILLICOTHE— Another life has been changed thanks to the Chillicothe High School's Keys to Success Program that helps deter students from trying and getting addicted to drugs.

Junior Solomon Dixon, 16, smiles as he drives off in his 2023 Kia Rio after his name was called out and it was announced that he was the winner of the car, supplied by Hernstein Kia dealership, during the Keys to Success drawing and prize giveaway at Chillicothe High School on May 10, 2024, in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program celebrates students being drug free.

At the annual Keys to Success celebration featured speaker Pastor J Troy Gray who encouraged students to find their skills and use them to better themselves and the world around them. Coming from a background of poverty and abuse Gray said he understands what some kids might be going through, however, he said you can not let what has happened to you stop you from succeeding in life.

See last year's event: Chillicothe students celebrate prizes, scholarships, new car at 2023 Keys to Success event

"Never allow people to dictate your future for yourself," said Gray. "We need you to change the world."

Teacher Greg Phillips helped hype students up as he passed out over five tables full of awards to students who had passed the drug test, proving that they had remained drug-free. Students won gift cards, speakers, games, mini-fridges, headphones, a kayak, electric scooters and much more.

Multiple scholarships were also given out from organizations in the community.

Senior Kaiman Allen, 18, rides his Electra bicycle in the gymnasium moments after his name was called and it was announced he was the winner of the bicycle during the Keys to Success drawing and prize giveaway at Chillicothe High School on May 10, 2024, in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program celebrates students being drug free.
Senior Kaiman Allen, 18, rides his Electra bicycle in the gymnasium moments after his name was called and it was announced he was the winner of the bicycle during the Keys to Success drawing and prize giveaway at Chillicothe High School on May 10, 2024, in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program celebrates students being drug free.

The biggest award of the day was a new 2023 Kia Rio donated by Herrnstein Kia. As the names entered into the drawing spun around Solomon Dixon was up in the bleachers praying that his name was called, something that he has been doing since he saw the program last year.

As his name was called over the speaker he immediately jumped up and started celebrating.

"I just won a whole car," Dixon kept repeating, almost in disbelief.

Junior Solomon Dixon, 16, shows his excitement after his name was called out as it was announced that he was the winner of a 2023 Kia Rio, supplied by Hernstein Kia dealership during the Keys to Success drawing and prize giveaway at Chillicothe High School on May 10, 2024, in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program celebrates students being drug free.
Junior Solomon Dixon, 16, shows his excitement after his name was called out as it was announced that he was the winner of a 2023 Kia Rio, supplied by Hernstein Kia dealership during the Keys to Success drawing and prize giveaway at Chillicothe High School on May 10, 2024, in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program celebrates students being drug free.

The junior just recently obtained his driver's license and said that having this car will help him a lot in life as he no longer need to buy one for himself. As he thanked those who donated and called his family he was still in shock, shaking from all the excitement.

"I won a real car," said Dixon.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Local drug free program and Herrnstein Kia give away a new car