Exchange Honors Wright-Patterson Teenager For Academic Excellence

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has honored a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base teen for her outstanding academic achievements.

Ninth-grader Alanna Morales received the Exchange second-place prize for the worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes during a presentation July 19 at the Wright-Patterson Exchange.

The You Made the Grade program provides the opportunity for first- through twelfth-graders who maintain a B average or higher to enter the sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. Alanna was one of three winners randomly selected from more than 900 entries.

“It’s with great pride that we honor Alanna for her academic achievements,” said Wright-Patterson General Manager Donald Walter. “What better incentive is there than realizing the benefits of your hard work.”

Alanna, 13, is the daughter of Air Force Maj. Juan Morales and his wife, Ivelisse, was presented a $1,500 Exchange gift card at the Wright-Patterson Exchange Main Store on July 19. Maj. Morales has served in the military for nearly 18 years, first with the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico before being commissioned in the Air Force OTS in 2006.

Alanna, who is home-schooled, is more than just a straight-A student. She volunteers at Wright Patterson USO with her family. She is involved with the Civil Air Patrol cadet program and 4-H. She loves to write short stories and draw amazing landscapes, portraits and abstract paintings. She is fluent in Spanish, and eventually wants to be a lawyer in the Air Force.

Along with her intelligence and talent, Alanna has a heart for helping and giving to others. She plans to use part of her winnings to buy a phone for her 12-year-old brother, Juan.

Why?  “Because he’s just so awesome,” she said.

For more information about the You Made the Grade program, students and guardians can contact the Wright-Patterson Exchange at 937-879-5730. Students can send You Made the Grade sweepstakes entry forms to:

You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398

Facebook-Friendly Version: The Exchange’s You Made the Grade sweepstakes second-place winner Alanna Morales from Wright-Patterson AFB plans on spending some of her $1,500 prize on her younger brother. Read more: https://bit.ly/2uZd8v1

— 30 —

Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

###

Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative, please contact Doug Brodess, 214-312-3393 or [email protected]

Follow the Exchange:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange

Instagram: @shopmyexchange

Posted in