The early-morning hours after Lena Warren’s high school graduation night came with a huge surprise.

The new Lawrence High graduate won a 1994 Honda del Sol during a final drawing around 3 a.m. Monday at Project Graduation.

“I can now forever say that I’ve won a car, so that’s a pretty fun thing to be able to say,” said Warren, who plans to attend the University of Maryland to study magazine journalism.

She is the daughter of Steve Warren, Kansas University’s vice provost for research and graduate studies, and Eva Horn, a KU special education professor.

Lena Warren said winning the car among hundreds of graduates was a thrill. But she already has a car she plans to take to college, so she plans to sell it.

Jack Ellena Honda donated the car as the top prize at the alcohol- and drug-free party for all Lawrence high school seniors on graduation night at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

Parent organizers said the annual event again was a success. About 520 graduates attended out of nearly 800 students who were invited, said Colleen Gregoire, a Project Graduation co-chairwoman.

“With the generous support of so many Lawrence businesses and parents of graduating seniors, we were able to really have a fun and successful event for the kids,” she said.

Other major prize winners were:

¢ Free State: Amanda Zwiener, a WaveRunner personal watercraft and trailer; Mike Westheffer, a $500 scholarship from DCCCA; Catherine Smith, a $500 scholarship from the Lawrence Journal-World; Hannah Frydman, the Karl and Gina Watson of GPW Scholarship for $250; Bethany Saylor, a PlayStation 3; Timothy McGeorge, a Nintendo Wii; Nana Agyen, a Guitar Hero video game; Gordon Fry, a flat-panel television; Jakson McTaggart, a flat-panel television; Drew Braden, a Samsung mini-camcorder; and Daphne Phillips, Fujifilm digital camera.

¢ LHS: Jessica Coleman, a Dell laptop computer; Emily Lamb, a $250 McDonald’s scholarship; Sarah Naff, a Garmin global positioning system; Brittaney Krug, a Sony Cybershot camera; Alex Boyer, a portable LCD DVD player; and Jon Samp, an Apple iPod.