Junior Alaze Solis receives the keys to a 2004 Infiniti FX35 donated to her by the Wa She Shu Foundation and businessman Ted Rupert on May 28, 2025 at Carson High.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
Carson High School junior Alaze Solis was ecstatic Wednesday stepping into a 2004 Infiniti FX35 that had been donated to her. She marveled at all its features from its sunroof to its glove box.
“I’m so nervous right now,” Solis said. “This is a lot more than just getting a car. It’s a blessing and I’m beyond grateful. … I am definitely just very grateful and very blessed to have the people that I have now.”
The Wa She Shu Foundation, headed by Ted Rupert of Rupert’s Auto Body in Carson City, donated a car for Solis to help as she juggles school and work. According to its website (washeshufoundation.com), “The Wa She Shu Foundation works towards improving the lives of the Washoe Tribal members, Native Americans and non-Natives.”
During the ceremony at Carson High, Rupert said, “we all want to see her succeed.”
“It’s almost like being a parent showing up to any other event. Just being there is so important, so we’re just letting her know that we’re all there for her to help her, which is probably the most important thing when you don’t have that.”
Conversations between longtime friends Rupert and Carson High Vice Principal Josh Billings helped put the plan into motion. Rupert said he wanted to help a student and Billings had spoken with Solis, whom he described as a commendable student, about how to ease her burden.
Billings said Solis works at Taco Bell and has been with different employers while managing to stay focused on her schoolwork. She’s a member of the school’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps who plans to become a therapist or social worker after high school, she said.
“I’ve seen her work hard every single day, support other students,” he said. “I check in with her quite frequently, and she’s had career aspirations to be a forensic scientist, going into the military and now to help other people.”
Billings added he is grateful to Rupert’s connection to the community.
“The thing I really appreciate about Ted is that he wants to find the people who really need (the help),” he said.
The car was donated by a Carson resident.
“I want to be able to do this for other people as well,” Solis said. “I want to be able to help how I was helped, if that makes sense.”
Solis said she didn’t want her struggles to define her as she grew up and was thankful to have a car for independence.
“It’s OK to ask for help,” Solis said. “You never know what you’re going to get. You never know how truly blessed you are until you ask. You don’t know who the people are you’re surrounded with until you open your eyes and you have an open mind.”