Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Jason W. Osborne joins the Fort Campbell Exchange Store Manager Annette Montgomery and General Manager David Swenson in celebrating Elias Lugo, 14, of Clarksville, TN for his academic achievement. Elias was presented with a $2,000 Exchange gift card Feb. 1 as part of the You Made the Grade program.
FORT CAMPBELL – When Elias Lugo found out he was the grand-prize winner of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes, he thought he was dreaming.
“I was shaking because I didn’t think I actually won,” he said.
Elias received his prize, a $2,000 Exchange gift card, at a presentation Feb. 1 at the Fort Campbell Exchange.
“Elias is an incredible student, and the Exchange is honored to be able to recognize his academic achievement,” said Fort Campbell Exchange General Manager David Swenson. “His resilience and dedication make Elias an inspiration to military children around the world.”
First- through 12th-graders who maintain a B average or higher can enter the sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. Elias was randomly selected from nearly 600 entries.
Elias, 14, is the youngest son of retired Army Staff Sgt. Gerson Lugo and his wife, an Army Veteran, Sgt. Brandy Lugo. Staff Sgt. Lugo served 19 years, deploying to Afghanistan twice before retiring in 2017. Sgt. Lugo, a paralegal, separated from the Army in 2006.
Elias found out about his win when his father sent a text to the family’s group chat.
“As soon as Dad texted the group chat that I won, my brother asked me for $500,” Elias said.
Elias and his brother both entered the sweepstakes after their mother saw a previous winner’s announcement on the Exchange’s Facebook page.
“This was the first time we’ve entered,” she said. “We were very surprised [Elias won].”
Besides excelling in academics, Elias already has plans for what he wants to do after high school. He intends to enroll in a special STEM program offered at Kenwood High School where students can earn their engineering license by the time they graduate.
“I’ll start as a junior,” he said. “My dad is also an engineer, so it’s kind of a family thing.”
In the meantime, Elias has $2,000 to spend at the Exchange. And how does he plan to use that money?
“I want to get a new computer,” he said. “I have done a lot of research and know exactly what I want.”
But that’s not all—he also something generous in mind.
“I plan to get at least one gift for my brothers and parents,” he said.
For more information about the You Made the Grade program, students and guardians can contact the Fort Campbell Exchange at 270-439-1841. 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: When Elias Lugo found out he was the grand-prize winner of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes, he thought he was dreaming.
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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. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. 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.
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Media Notes:
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