Good grades pay off—especially for the three young winners of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s You Made the Grade worldwide sweepstakes.
Seventh-grader Sara Cockrell won the grand prize of a $2,000 Exchange gift card, which she received in a presentation at the Fort Bragg Exchange. Seventh-grader Bruce Birch received the second-place $1,500 prize at the Yokota Air Base Exchange, and ninth-grader Brandon Maul was awarded the $500 third-place prize at the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder Exchange. Sara is the daughter of a retired Soldier, Bruce’s father is a retired Airman and Brandon’s father currently serves in the Army.
“I was astonished,” said Sara, who received her award on her 13th birthday. “I couldn’t believe it.”
The winners were randomly selected from nearly 500 military children who were eligible to enter the drawing by maintaining at least a B average in school.
“I’m happy that Brandon’s being recognized for the hard work he does,” said 106th Financial Management Support Unit Commander Maj. Frederik Maul, the father of the third-place winner. “It’s been especially difficult during COVID because he’s not at the school and around his peers.”
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students in first through 12th grade for above-average academic achievement to inspire them to continue striving for excellence. Military children who maintain a B average or higher can bring their report cards each grading period to their local Exchange for a $5 gift card. Students can then enter the worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. The program is one example of how the Exchange provides ongoing support to the military community in ways no other retailer can.
“Being the child of a service member is very special, but it comes with a lot of challenges,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program honors these students for their hard work and encourages them to persevere in school.”
The next sweepstakes drawing will take place in June.
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