Lakesha Pierre, junior biology major, was this year’s winner of a free one-year car lease donated by Rick Case Automotive Group at Sharkapalooza.
The last event of the annual Week of Welcome is Sharkapalooza, which I usually go to for free t-shirts, food and to sign up for different clubs. However, this year was different.
I decided to stay until the end of Sharkapalooza to see who was going to win a free car for a year. Hours passed by, and the host of the event kept repeating the same thing: “We’re giving away a free car, so be here at 9!” Finally, it was 9 p.m., and they were ready to announce the winner. They pushed the computer button to randomly select the winner, and the director of activities announced the lucky person. “And the winner is Lakesha Pierre,” he said.
When I heard my name, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that I actually won. I stood there and realized that I had to run over to the stage before they decided to call someone else’s name. As I was approaching the stage, I wanted to cry, but I knew everybody was watching so I held it in.
I was so excited to win that instead of shaking Rick Case’s representative’s hand, I hugged him. When Stan Bostic, the national director of communications and VIP programs, spoke to me, I was nervous and didn’t know what to say. He said the car was only free for a year, which confused me a little, because I thought I was keeping the car forever, but hey, it’s still a free car. It was the end of Sharkapalooza, and I walked outside with Stan and the people from Rick Case Honda to select one of the four cars that were parked in the Shark Circle. When we got outside, Stan told me to check the interior of each car and choose which one I wanted. Although I had an idea of which car I wanted, I decided to hop in and check the features inside each car before making the big decision. I chose the new 2015 Honda Civic mainly because of the dashboard view and the rearview camera.
I went to the dealership that following week on Tuesday to go pick up the car. When I got there, the car was parked outside waiting for me in front of the showroom entrance with a huge red, white and blue bow on top of the hood. I went in and filled out a few papers, and within two hours I was driving off with my new car. I couldn’t believe that this would ever happen to me. I fell in love with the car as I drove home from the dealership.
I was so fortunate to win this car. I just returned back to NSU after a year-long break and my birthday was just a couple of weeks before. However, I like to think that all of my hard work has finally paid off, and I’m finally getting what I deserve. I’ve always helped out my family and friends through tough financial situations, with academic assistance and by just being there in their times of need. I was never the type of person to tell somebody no to when they came to me for help because I know that not everyone in life is as fortunate as I am to have such great and supportive parents. Many people would believe that winning the car was just luck, but I believe that when you do so much to help others, God will always find a way to reward you with a gift. I would like to thank NSU and Rick Case for giving me this car for a year. I am truly grateful.
Photo Credit: Lakesha Pierre
