POST FALLS — For Sarah Sitar, it's out with "Old Blue" and in with "New Black" — a 2016 Chevy Sonic courtesy of Knudtsen Chevrolet.

The recent Lakeland High graduate won the car valued at $20,265 Wednesday night. It was awarded during the dealership's third annual car giveaway and community appreciation event.

"I'm ecstatic," Sitar said, fighting back tears after getting hugs from friends and relatives. "I feel blessed that God put (the right key) in my hand for a reason.

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my parents for the car I've had, but I could definitely use a new car. I was just talking to my sister (Julia) that I wanted to buy another car in the next year or so."

Sarah has been driving a 1996 Ford Contour that, according to Julia, shakes, leaks oil and sounds like a jet (and not hot-rod-like loud, either).

"She deserves it so much," Julia said of her sister. "She's one of the hardest-working people I've ever met. Old Blue is a rowdy mess."

While she was attending Lakeland, Sarah was dual enrolled in North Idaho College classes. She's

pursuing a nursing degree and plans to transfer to Lewis-Clark State College.

Jossene Sitar, Sarah's mom, said her daughter is extremely deserving of the car that will give her a boost during her college years.

"She's very aware of her grades and is always home on time," Jossene said. "She has goals and dreams and doesn't waver."

Eve Knudtsen, owner of the dealership, said the company is proud to help local graduates pursue their next aspirations in life.

"That was a phenomenal story," Knudtsen said after visiting with Sarah and Jossene about the graduate's desires. "I love that. We're blessed that there's been a great kid win it every year as they're transitioning in life and making decisions."

The names of the five finalists, who happened to be all girls this year, were drawn during their school's senior alcohol-free party.

On Wednesday, each of the finalists drew a key in hopes they would be the one able to open the Sonic.

Sitar was the last girl to draw a key, then volunteered to be the first one to try her luck on the door.

Giving the crowd and the finalists fair warning, Knudtsen said, as Sitar walked up to the car, "This could end really quickly."

Sure enough, it opened for Sitar, sending her and her mother into shock, tears and jubilation.

Other graduates who had a chance to win the car included: Madi Vershum, Lake City; Kindal Ross, Coeur d'Alene; Breanna Bodak, Timberlake; and Halle Frey, Post Falls.

Each of them won a MacBook Air computer valued at $1,000.