DALLAS - Three young scholars have turned good grades into a big payday thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's You Made the Grade sweepstakes.
Andrea Forrester, 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 on July 16.
"I was very surprised about winning because the secret was kept from me by my parents for two weeks," said Andrea, who used part of her winnings to buy a computer. "I was almost in tears from the surprise of winning that amount of money."
Andrea's father, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Forrester, has served in the Army for 13 years. As a result, Andrea is used to frequent moves. Besides Japan, she's attended school at Fort Irwin, California, and Fort Riley, Kansas.
Despite changing schools often, Andrea has worked hard to keep her grades up.
"I 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," said Andrea, who enjoys studying science, especially astronomy.
Her mother, Courtney Forrester, applauded the You Made the Grade program and Andrea's commitment to excellence.
"She studies instead of going to play like the rest of the kids," Forrester said. "She is really dedicated to making sure that her grades are up to par."
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, Nevada.
Third prize, a $500 Exchange gift card, went to Anya Forma, a high school junior who entered the contest at the Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Exchange. Anya's 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 grade, her persistence paid off.
"(Entering the sweepstakes has) always been a big thing, and I've always had straight A's," Anya said. "My parents do encourage me, but I know that your grades are important because that's your future."
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.
"These students have proved that commitment to academic excellence pays off," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. "The Exchange appreciates the sacrifices military families-including military children-make for our country."
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