JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The first time was the charm for 11th-grader Kamille Ouano, who won the third place prize of $500 in the Army & Air Force Exchange’s “You Made the Grade” sweepstakes her first time entering.
The Exchange’s “You Made the Grade” program rewards students in first through 12th grades 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 gift card and other prizes. Students can then enter the worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500, or $500 Exchange gift card.
Kamille, the daughter of Army Lt. Col. David Ouano, was vacationing with her family in Guam when she found out the good news.
“We were very happy and surprised,” Kamille’s mom Stephanie said.
Kamille attends Robert G. Cole High School at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. According to her twin sister Katherine, Kamille is very studious and excels at writing and debate and plans to study medicine.
“I hope to go to medical school and be either a pharmacist or a pathologist,” said Kamille, whose entry was randomly selected from more than 850 qualifying entries worldwide.
Fort Sam Houston Exchange General Manager Eddie Devlin presented Kamille with her prize July 27.
“It’s a privilege to recognize hard-working military students like Kamille,” Devlin said. “Military children face extra challenges because of the lifestyle, and the You Made the Grade program aims to encourage them in their studies and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Kamille hasn’t yet decided how she’ll use her winnings, but they’ll likely go toward her education, perhaps in the form of school supplies.
“The ‘You Made the Grade’ program is a great opportunity for students to advance in their education,” Stephanie said. “Thank you to the Exchange for having this program.”
The next You Made the Grade sweepstakes drawing will take place in December.