FORT LEAVENWORTH – Hard work and good grades have paid off for a Fort Leavenworth sixth-grader—to the tune of $2,000, presented by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.
Jane Thomas, a 12-year-old who attends Patton Junior High School in Fort Leavenworth, took home the first-place prize in the Exchange’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes. The program celebrates military students’ academic success and resilience in the classroom.
From left: Fort Leavenworth Command Sgt. Maj. Erika Rhine-Russell; Exchange Store Manager Marina Lemanua; Austin Thomas, Jane’s brother; Maj. Andrew Thomas, Jane’s father; Whitney Thomas, Jane’s mother; Eleanor Thomas, Jane’s sister; Jane Thomas; Fort Leavenworth School District Deputy Superintendent Dr. SuAnn Grant; Patton Junior High School Assistant Principal Kevin Wellington; Exchange General Manager Cynthia Gregg; and Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Duane Mosier.
Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Duane Mosier, Command Sergeant Major Erika Rhine-Russell, Patton Junior High School administrators and Exchange leaders presented Jane with her $2,000 PX gift card at the Fort Leavenworth Exchange on Jan. 26.
“The Exchange is honored to present Jane with this reward for her outstanding academic performance,” said Fort Leavenworth Exchange General Manager Cynthia Gregg. “Her dedication, success and sacrifice as a military child comes well rewarded and the Exchange is proud of her.”
Jane is the daughter of Maj. Andrew Thomas, who is assigned to Fort Leavenworth, and his wife Whitney. Her favorite subjects are math and language arts. She hopes to become a pediatrician when she grows up.
“When my mom told me that I won I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’” Jane said. “I’d like to thank my mom for mailing in the form for me, and I’m going to treat myself and my family.”
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program, now in its 24th year, rewards students who maintain a B average or higher with a $5 PX/BX gift card each grading period during the school year. Students can then enter the worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 gift card.
Facebook-friendly version: She studies, she scores! A Fort Leavenworth student won a $2,000 @shopmyexchange gift card in the You Made the Grade sweepstakes. Read more about Jane Thomas’ big win: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-2C7.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.5 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Keiana Holleman, 214-312-6514 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange