POST FALLS — Five 2023 high school graduates were on pins and needles Thursday as they lined up to receive their key fobs for a drawing at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls.

"I'm jittery," Lakeland High School grad Eric Briske said.

"I'm a little nervous," Lake City High grad Taylah Chapman said.

"I feel like I'm going to explode," Coeur d'Alene High grad Jack Kliewer commented with a grin.

The suspense didn't last long. Timberlake High graduate Brian Stamper-Schaeffer Jr., first in line, pressed the panic button on the key fob in his hand. The gleaming silver 2022 Chevy Trax honked back at its new owner.

"It's great," a beaming Stamper-Schaeffer Jr. said. "I kind of felt like I was just going to win it."

The new ride is a step up from his 1995 Nissan Altima, which barely runs.

"His car broke down three times this year," said his dad, Brian Schaeffer Sr.

"It's been in the shop more than it's been out," said his mom, Tera Stamper.

The excitement was palpable at the Knudtsen Chevrolet Community Celebration, during which the Knudtsen family and employees expressed a resounding "thank you" to the Inland Northwest community for supporting the company for 84 years. Guests were treated to live music, games, cold beverages and a barbecue buffet, along with the joy of watching a local grad win a new car to carry him safely to his life's adventures.

Knudtsen Chevrolet President Eve Knudtsen said the dealership has been giving away new cars to lucky graduates for at least 10 years. Although this year wasn't the first time the winning key was picked on the first try, she said it doesn't happen often.

She said the technology in the 2022 Trax is incredible.

"This is a brand new model," she said. "We had the Cruze for a while, then they discontinued making it, and they brought (the Trax) back and we are so excited to have this model back again."

Each year, high school graduates earn the chance to win a new car by staying all night at their safe and sober graduation parties. Only one student from each school is chosen to participate in the drawing.

The students who did not win the new car didn't walk away empty-handed. They were awarded new Apple laptops.

Knudtsen said this is all made possible through local support.

"We're so blessed by the community," she said. "That's what allows us to be able to do something like this."