DALLAS – Strong report cards have earned three military students a combined $4,000 in Exchange gift cards as winners of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s You Made the Grade program.
Arthur Moore IV, an 11th grader from Shaw Air Force Base, was presented with the grand prize of a $2,000 Exchange gift card. Liam Pimentel, a fifth grader from Fort Buchanan, was rewarded with a $1,500 Exchange gift card as the program’s second place winner. Jorge Davila, a second grader also from Fort Buchanan, received a $500 Exchange gift card as the third place winner.
“I’m very grateful and thankful for winning,” Arthur said. “I was very surprised. After we submitted the form, I thought about it for a few days, then forgot about it until I was told I won.”
The winners were randomly selected from more than 2,000 entries of military students who submitted a report card with a B average or higher during the spring 2026 semester.
“I was really thrilled for Art,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Moore, Arthur’s mother. “It was a blessing for the family. He has two sisters, a twin and an older sister, that he’ll spend money on. It was the first time we submitted an entry, so I guess you could say he’s on a winning streak.”
For more than 25 years, the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program has rewarded students in first through 12th grade for above-average grades to encourage and inspire them to continue studying hard.
Military children with a B average or higher can bring their report cards (or equivalent) each grading period to their local PX or BX for a $10 or $20 gift card as well as a coupon sheet, which includes:
- A free small fountain, frozen drink or bubbler beverage.
- A free kid’s meal at a participating Exchange restaurant.
- A free combo meal at a participating Exchange restaurant.
- A free kid’s hair service at The Barber Shop, Hair Studios, or Stylique beauty salons.
- 10% off any pair of headphones (excluding Apple and Beats).
- 10% off apparel and footwear.
- A $5 coupon for Exchange mall concessions or kiosks.
“Military-connected students often navigate uncertainty, from parental deployments to frequent moves, that can disrupt learning and require exceptional resilience,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program recognizes and celebrates the hard work, perseverance and academic achievement in the classroom.”
The next drawing will take place in December. To enter the drawing, shoppers can complete the form on the back of the gift card and mail it to:
You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398
Facebook-friendly version: Three military students are heading back to school with big rewards for their hard work: a combined $4,000 in Exchange gift cards as the spring 2026 You Made the Grade program winners. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-3iu
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service 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 60th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In 2025, the Exchange generated $307 million for military Quality-of-Life programs. In the last 10 years, the Exchange has returned $2.4 billion to military communities. The Exchange is a nonappropriated fund entity of the Department of War and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange’s history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on X at https://x.com/shopmyexchange.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative, please contact Zach Wright, 214-312-6300 or [email protected].
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