{"id":2090,"date":"2015-08-06T11:18:36","date_gmt":"2015-08-06T16:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2090"},"modified":"2015-08-06T11:18:36","modified_gmt":"2015-08-06T16:18:36","slug":"camp-zama-sixth-grader-earns-top-prize-in-exchanges-you-made-the-grade-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2090","title":{"rendered":"Camp Zama Sixth-Grader Earns Top Prize in Exchange\u2019s You Made the Grade Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013 <\/b>Three young scholars have turned good grades into a big payday thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s You Made the Grade sweepstakes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Andrea Forrester<\/span><\/a>, 11, took home the grand prize in the semiannual sweepstakes. Andrea, a sixth-grader at John O. Arnn Elementary School at Camp Zama, Japan, was awarded a $2,000 Exchange gift card during a surprise presentation at the Camp Zama Exchange in July.\"scholarship<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was very surprised about winning because the secret was kept from me by my parents for two weeks,\u201d said Andrea, who used part of her winnings to buy a computer. \u201cI was almost in tears from the surprise of winning that amount of money.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Andrea\u2019s father, Sgt. 1st<\/sup> Class Matthew Forrester, has served in the Army for 13 years. As a result, Andrea is used to frequent moves. Besides Japan, she\u2019s attended school at Fort Irwin, Calif., and Fort Riley, Kan.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite changing schools often, Andrea has worked hard to keep her grades up.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to work hard in school so that in the future I am able to attend college and get my degree and start a great career,\u201d said Andrea, who enjoys studying science, especially astronomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Her mother, Courtney Forrester, applauded the You Made the Grade program and Andrea\u2019s commitment to excellence.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe studies instead of going to play like the rest of the kids,\u201d Forrester said. \u201cShe is really dedicated to making sure that her grades are up to par.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The worldwide sweepstakes also awarded second- and third-place prizes. The second prize, a $1,500 Exchange gift card, was awarded to a student at Nellis Air Force Base.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Third prize, a $500 Exchange gift card, went to <\/span>Anya Forma<\/span><\/a>, a high school junior who entered the contest at the Fort Huachuca Exchange. Anya\u2019s mother, Sunny, a former Army sergeant, has been entering her in the sweepstakes since Anya was in the second grade. At the end of 10th<\/sup> grade, her persistence paid off.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c(Entering the sweepstakes has) always been a big thing, and I\u2019ve always had straight A\u2019s,\u201d Anya said. \u201cMy parents do encourage me, but I know that your grades are important because that\u2019s your future.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the You Made the Grade program, first- through 12th-graders with a B average or higher are eligible to receive a coupon book filled with Exchange discounts and a sweepstakes entry form for a shot at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 prize. Drawings are typically held in June and December.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese students have proved that commitment to academic excellence pays off,\u201d said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. \u201cThe Exchange appreciates the sacrifices military families\u2014including military children\u2014make for our country.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a>or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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