Humphreys Student Wins $500 Exchange Gift Card in You Made the Grade Sweepstakes

CAMP HUMPHREYS—Sixth-grader Josiah Ko’s hard work and dedication to his studies has earned him an unforgettable paycheck and a lasting memory.

The Humphreys Middle School student won the third-place prize—a $500 Exchange gift card—in the Exchange’s You Made the Grade worldwide sweepstakes. Josiah received his prize at the Camp Humphreys Exchange during a presentation Aug. 3.

Josiah Ko’s father, Maj. David Ko, chaplaincy resource manager for Headquarters, Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison-Humphreys; his mother, Jenny; and his sister, Annabelle, join the Exchange’s Regional Vice President Scott Bonner and Humphreys Store Manager Debra Melton for the presentation of Josiah’s $500 gift card.

Josiah’s father, Maj. David Ko, chaplaincy resource manager for Headquarters, Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison-Humphreys, as well as his mother, Jenny, and his sister, Annabelle, joined  Regional Vice President Scott Bonner and Humphreys Store Manager Debra Melton for the presentation.

Josiah and his two older sisters regularly earn $5 Exchange gift cards by participating in the You Made the Grade program, which rewards students in first through 12th grades who achieve at least a B average on their report cards. The gift cards include mail-in entry forms for a worldwide sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card.

“Josiah is a great student,” his mother, Jenny said. “He studies hard, works well with others and gets along with his classmates and his teachers.”

Josiah wants a career as a meteorologist and studies diligently towards his goal. His favorite subjects are English language arts, math and science.

“I really like knowing about the weather,” Josiah said. “It’s fascinating.”

While his future may be in the sky, his heart remains down to earth. Instead of spending his well-earned prize on himself, he is surprising his grandfather who is back in the States, ill.

“Josiah wants to use the money towards getting his grandparents something that would bring them encouragement through his illness,” Jenny said. “To let them know he loves them since we are unable to be with them now.”

The You Made the Grade program is one of many ways the Exchange gives back to their community. According to the Department of Defense Education Activity, military children switch schools an average of three times more often than their counterparts and move six to nine times during their school years.

“You Made the Grade program is a fantastic program and my children really enjoy getting their $5 gift cards each quarter, as a reward for their diligence in their studies,” Jenny said. “Josiah winning the $500 third-place prize was a wonderful bonus. We’re so grateful. I hope that other children will be motivated to do their best in school—it will really pay off.”

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