Sibling Rivalry Heats Up as Hanscom Exchange Rewards Sisters in Worldwide Sweepstakes For Academic Excellence

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE – Studying hard yielded great results for two sisters who took second and third place in the Exchange’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes—the first time in the program’s 23-year history siblings won in the same drawing.

“I thought it was a joke,” said sixth grader Fiona Somarriba, who took second and won a $1,500 Exchange gift card. Her sister, first grader Hazel, won a $500 Exchange gift card as the third-place prize.

The homeschooled sisters’ father, Chief Hospital Corpsman Immel Somarriba, has served 20 years in the Navy, and the family recently PCS’d to Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Col. Taona Enriquez, commander, 66th Air Base Group, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Desaulniers, acting command chief, 66th Air Base Group, joined Hanscom Exchange General Manager Dale Killip in presenting the prizes to the sisters at the BX on Feb. 10.

“It’s an honor to recognize the Somarriba sisters for their hard work,” Killip said. “They made history as the first siblings to win together. The BX is proud of them and the terrific example they set for all military kids.”

The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students who maintain a B average or higher with a $10-20 Exchange gift card and coupons each grading period during the school year. Students can then enter the twice-annual worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 gift card.

While the Somarribas were preparing to PCS, their mother, Kimberly, learned the You Made the Grade program was open to homeschoolers too.

“The program is incredibly generous,” said Kimberly Somarriba, who took Fiona, Hazel and two of their brothers to the BX to receive their $10 or $20 gift card and Exchange coupons, including a free meal at an Exchange restaurant and a free haircut. “I was blown away. It was much more than just a gift card. It gave our family time to connect during a stressful time.”

Fiona said she isn’t sure yet what she wants to be when she grows up, but her favorite subject is history and she loves reading. She plans to use her prize for a new dresser for her bedroom and clothes. Fiona said her sister wants to get a new iPad.

Facebook-friendly version: Sibling rivalry heats up as sisters win second and third place in @ShopMyExchange ’s You Made the Grade worldwide sweepstakes, the first time in the program’s history! Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-2CQ

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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 54^th-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 Zach Wright, [email protected], 214-312-6300

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