Drive for Excellence | Bartow Ford Community Involvement

How To Qualify

You are a Polk County Junior or Senior high school student (public or private).
You have a Florida permit or license.
You have A's, B's

To read all rules and regulations, please click here.

Celebrating Drive For Excellence Since 1993

What is Drive for Excellence

During 1993-94 school year, Bartow Ford held their very first Drive for Excellent vehicle giveaway for Polk County Juniors and Seniors. Every year Drive for Excellence program offers Polk County Juniors and Seniors the opportunity to win a New Ford Mustang. Founded by Bartow Ford's President Benny Robles Sr., the program was designed to encourage high school students to achieve educational excellence.

Drive for Excellence advocates the importance of education among young adults, and rewards them with a chance to win a new Ford vehicle. The program is meant to broaden the educational perception of teenagers and inspire them to reach for all achievements.

Congratulations Parker Buchholz!

At the 33rd Annual 2026 Drive For Excellence, the winning key was chosen by finalist number 5—Parker Buchholz, a Senior from George Jenkins High School, who plans to study nursing at Florida State University.

"This is a huge blessing, and fills needs that we didn’t know were going to be filled," Parker said.

Congratulations Alivia Conticello!

The winning key at 2025’s 32nd annual Drive For Excellence was chosen by finalist umber 14 – Alivia Conticello, a Senior from George Jenkins High School, who hopes to be an orthodontist.

"Number 14 is my flag football number, so we knew it would be good luck," she said.

Congratulations Roxana Valladares!

The 2024’s winning key at our 31st annual Drive For Excellence was chosen by lucky number 13, Davenport High School Senior Roxana Valladares.

Valladares plans to attend Nova Southeastern University to study Biology/PreMed.

"I'm really excited," said Roxana as she jumped into the front seat of her beautiful new 2024 Ford Mustang.

Congratulations Derionan Leger!

The 2023's winning key at our 30th annual Drive for Excellence was chosen by one of our most ecstatic winners ever, Haines City High School Senior Derionan Leger. Leger plans to attend Polk State College and UCF as she completes her education to become a neo-natal nurse.

"This is life-changing," Leger began. "For two and a half years, I have been struggling with family issues, but I knew that if I kept pushing and kept praying, God would show up to me."

Congratulations Maddison Allen!

The winning key at the 2022 Drive for Excellence was chosen by Auburndale resident Maddison Allen, a senior at Auburndale High School, who plans to get into the medical field.

"It’s awesome," Allen, who was so nervous that she hadn’t slept in three days, said. "This car is exactly what I wanted."

Congratulations Maximo Perez Ii!

The winning key at the 2021 Drive for Excellence was chosen by Frostproof resident Maximo Perez ll, a junior at Frostproof High School. Perez, who hopes to become a nurse, was thrilled. "It’s just amazing," he said. "It’s an awesome car, and I needed the transportation."

Perez is the first winner from Frostproof in the contest’s 28-year history.

Congratulations Marissa Lowry and Ryne Pugh!

Bartow Ford gave away two mustangs at it's 27th annual Drive for Excellence event.

It took until the 17th contestant, Ryne Pugh, before the key opened the lock. Ryne Pugh, who just graduated from IB in Bartow, was that 17th contestant. He plans to attend USF in the fall. When asked about how he felt, he said, "I was shocked, speechless, and very excited."

After Pugh had a moment to regroup, former president Benny Robles turned to the students and said, "Let’s give away another Mustang."

Soon, the remaining 19 students would pull again. This time, when contestant number 4, Marissa Lowry, tried the lock, the door opened.

"I wasn’t anticipating a win – I’m usually not lucky with raffles or this sort of thing," Lowry, who dropped to her knees when the door opened, said. "I just couldn’t believe it." Lowry will attend Florida Southern College in the fall.

Congratulations To Alvin Thomas!

The winning key was chosen by Bartow resident Alvin Thomas, a senior at IBS at Bartow High School.

''I am so excited,'' said Thomas. "This is a dream come true."

Congratulations To Aleyda Martinez!

The winning key of Bartow Ford's 25th annual Drive for Excellence was chosen by Winter Haven resident Aleyda Martinez, a junior at Discovery High School.

"I still can't believe it," said Martinez, who plans to study speech pathology at Polk State College and USF after graduation. "I'm really excited and proud that all my hard work studying paid off."

Congratulations To Samuel Dooley!

The winning key of Bartow Ford's 24th annual Drive for Excellence was chosen by Samuel Dooley, a junior at Bartow High School.

The Bartow Drive for Excellence program was established to encourage exchellence in education among Polk County Juniors and Seniors. For over two decades, it has offered local students who achieve A's, B's and perfect attendance a chance to be drawn as a top qualifier for the opportunity to win a NEW Ford Vehicle! Excellent work Samuel!

Congratulations To Maria Lugo Guttierrez!

The winning key at Bartow Ford's 23rd Drive for Excellence was chosen by finalist number 14, Maria Lugo Guttierrez from Bartow High School.

Maria turned the key and... the door opened! She was instantly overwhelmed with excitement. Her mother and brother (her good luck charms) climbed over the rope and they shared an embrace.

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