DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service rewarded three students with $4,000 in gift cards in its You Made the Grade sweepstakes, part of its worldwide program honoring the academic excellence and resiliency of military students.
Fourth grader Ana Avila, daughter of Department of Defense civilian Eduardo Avila at Fort Buchanan, took home first prize, winning a $2,000 Exchange gift card; Altus Air Force Base eighth grader Kamryn Hendrickson, daughter of Air Force Veteran Phillip Hendrickson, received the second place prize of $1,500; and USAG Humphreys’ Brayden Snow, a third grader and son of State Department civilian Mark Snow, took third, winning $500. The winners were selected randomly from a pool of more than 1,800 entries.
Fourth grader Ana Avila took the top prize in the Exchange You Made the Grade program. She was presented with her gift card in a ceremony at the Fort Buchanan PX.
The young scholars were each presented with their prizes in ceremonies at their local Exchange.
Hendrickson already knows how she’ll use her winnings.
“I plan on using the gift card for school clothes and supplies,” she said. “And I’ll share it with my brothers to use for back-to-school shopping too.”
Eighth grader Kamryn Hendrickson received her second-place prize at the Altus AFB Exchange.
Eduardo Avila appreciates the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program not only as a father, but also in his professional role as a Child Youth Services counselor.
“At first, I thought [the sweepstakes] was only for Puerto Rico, but when I saw it was global, I thought, ‘Wow, we are so lucky to have won,’” he said. “At the youth center, I tell kids all the time: Take your report cards to the Exchange and get your rewards. It’s free!”
The Exchange has been rewarding the academic excellence of military children for nearly 25 years through the program.
“Military kids overcome obstacles in life and in school,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “The You Made the Grade program is there to cheer them along the way and celebrate their hard work.”
Brayden Snow, a third grader at USAG Humphreys, received his $500 gift card at the PX.
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students who maintain a B average or higher equivalent with a $20 or $10 Exchange gift card and coupons each grading period. Students can then enter the twice-a-year worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 gift card. For more information on the program, see an Exchange associate or visit ShopMyExchange.com.
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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 52nd-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.7 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, 214-312-3600, or [email protected]
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Instagram: @shopmyexchange