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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Offering a helping hand to secondary education in the state, Toyota and its Minnesota Toyota Dealers are sponsoring the Drive for Education competition, which will provide $50,000 in cash grants in recognition of the automaker's 21st year of working with Minnesota high school students.

Basically, Toyota will help pick 14 high schools in the state to receive the grants, based on which schools can best demonstrate how they will use the funds to put toward advancing education in classrooms, facilities or student programs. 

Two schools will be chosen to win $10,000 each, while 12 others will be given $2,500.

The winners will be announced during coverage of the Boy's Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, which will air on KSTC-TV Channel 45.

"We are excited to be sponsoring this worthwhile program," shared Shawn Caso, regional merchandising manager for the Chicago sales office of Toyota Motor Sales, USA.

"For more than two decades, Toyota and its dealers have donated more than $400,000 to further education in the state of Minnesota," Caso added. "We look forward to helping 14 deserving high schools bolster their educational programs and pursuits."

To enter the competition, students must write a short essay providing specific details as to how their school could use the grants for educational improvement.

There must be specific monetary earmarks mentioned, such as putting the funds toward a new facility, new equipment, teen education program or disability program.

Visit www.kstc45.com  and click on "Drive For Education" to access the entry form, or contact Sarah Hall, marketing coordinator at KSTC-TV, at (651) 642-4378 or shall@kstc45.com.