Five graduating seniors each drew a key fob from the purple basket that determined their fate.  

“In one case, it’s going to unlock the door,” Knudtsen Chevrolet owner and president Eve Knudtsen said. 

At the Knudtsen Chevrolet anniversary party in mid-June, four of the seniors would win new laptops and one would take away the grand prize on four wheels: a new 2026 Chevy Trax worth $26,000. 

The moment of truth was nearly instantaneous.  

As the second in the line to test his fob, Timberlake High School graduate Hayden Johnsen raised both arms in surprise when a beep rang out and cheers were heard from the crowd. 

“You just won a car,” Knudtsen told him. 

For more than a decade, Knudtsen Chevrolet has hosted the giveaway during its anniversary party for students who attended their school’s all-night graduation celebration.  

“If I was going to win the MacBook, I would be happy,” Hayden said. “If I won the car, I would be happier.” 

His plans are to attend North Idaho College and go on to eventually get his degree in veterinary medicine. 

Hayden's favorite animals to work with are goats and sheep through 4-H and he had even showed animals earlier in the day before the big event. 

Hayden's family was full of big smiles and laughter as everyone joined in the excitement of the win. 

The smallest members of the family greeted him with an overlapping chorus of "What the heck?” and “that's crazy!” 

His mother, Tanya Johnsen, couldn’t contain her smile. 

“We're super excited,” Tanya said. “This is awesome. I told him, you’ve got as good of a shot as anybody.” 

He’s looking forward to having a smoother drive to college with less hurt to his wallet with his new set of wheels.

“He's always trying to steal my car, so now he won’t have to drive his old truck, the gas is kinda killing him, so this is going to be really nice,” Tanya said. 

Post Falls High School graduate Avery O’Halloran was happy even though she didn’t win the car herself. She immediately started clapping for Hayden when his fob went off.  

“I’m excited about the MacBook,” O’Halloran said.  

She is heading to Boise State University to pursue a career in social work in the fall. 

“I’m really grateful for it,” she said of the event. “It’s definitely different and it’s a great way to end my senior year.” 

    Paige Bowman, Avery O’Halloran and Madeline Riggs hold their new laptops near the 2026 Chevy Trax during the car giveaway Thursday at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls.
  

    Ray Zuchowski gives his grandson, Hayden Johnsen, a hug after Johnsen won a 2026 Chevy Trax at the Knudtsen Chevrolet anniversary party on Thursday.

  

    Tanya Johnsen stands proudly with her son, Hayden Johnsen, after he won a new car at the Knudtsen Chevrolet anniversary party on Thursday.
  

    Amanda Olson selects her key at Knudtsen Chevrolet during their annual car giveaway. Olson wound up winning a laptop. Left to right: Hazel Traw, Lauren Traw, Amanda Olson, Hayden Johnsen and Paige Bowman.