NAS JRB Fort Worth-Area Fifth Grader Wins $1,500 in ‘You Made the Grade’ Sweepstakes
As students head back to school, one Fort Worth-area military child is celebrating in style with a $1,500 prize.
Leo Velez, a Bryson Elementary School fifth grader in Fort Worth, Texas, and son of a retired Marine staff sergeant, won second prize in the Exchange’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes for academic excellence. Leo was selected from more than 2,300 military children who entered the sweepstakes.
Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor; and Diana Krieger, NAS JRB Fort Worth Exchange general manager; presented Leo with a $1,500 Exchange gift card during a back-to-school fashion event Aug. 16.
“Military children face incredible challenges—moving from base to base, enduring long deployments and adapting to constant change,” Martinez said. “Yet through it all, they show remarkable strength, resilience and heart. These experiences shape them in ways that inspire us every day. At the Exchange, we’re proud to serve those who serve, and that includes shining a light on military children who rise above adversity and achieve academic excellence.”
Leo’s father, Leopoldo Velez, served for 20 years before retiring in 2015. Today, he continues his commitment to service by supporting our Nation’s defense through his work at the Navy Fleet Readiness Center in San Diego.
Leo, an Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD student, was excited to receive the $1,500 Exchange gift card. While he hasn’t yet decided how he’ll use it, he enjoys building Lego sets and expressing his creativity through drawing.
The You Made the Grade sweepstakes has recognized and honored academic excellence for 25 years by awarding three outstanding students from military families each year with an Exchange gift card. This initiative celebrates the hard work and dedication of young scholars who go above and beyond in their studies.
Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez,, Exchange senior enlisted advisor, and NAS JRB Fort Worth General Manager Diana Krieger help “You Made the Grade” second-place winner Leo Velez and his family celebrate during an award presentation at NAS JRB Fort Worth. From left: Krieger; Leo; Leo’s sisters, Paola and Stacy Velez; Leo’s mother, Adriana Leticia Velez; and Chief Martinez. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
